The following article was written by Kirsten Smith, a Youth Services Associate at the Manitowoc Public Library.
Begin your Three Sisters’ garden at Manitowoc Public Library! Join special guest, Nathaniel Gerhardt, from the Oneida Nation Museum, for this all-ages and abilities program on Wednesday, July 30, at 2 PM. Participants will plant and take home their own small pot of corn, beans, and squash!
The Legend of the Three Sisters
Corn, beans, and squash, known as the Three Sisters, are planted together, eaten together, and celebrated together. There are several legends surrounding the Three Sisters. In fact, almost every Indigenous nation seems to have its own. These legends teach us about cooperation, balance, and interdependence. Just as the personified versions of the Sisters rely on each other, so too do ecosystems, which thrive when different elements work together harmoniously. Oneida Nation Cultural Educator, Nathaniel Gerhardt, will offer an Oneida perspective on the legend of the Three Sisters, the plants’ historical and cultural significance, and their use today.
Companion Planting
As the plants grow, corn, beans, and squash support and thrive off one another. Agricultural scientists confirm the benefits of this companion planting. Corn matures first, and its tall stalks hold up the twining pole beans. Bacterial colonies on the bean roots add nitrogen, a potent fertilizer to the soil. The large leaves of the squash plants shade the soil, keeping in moisture for the growing crop and preventing weeds from taking over.
Lessons from Nature
Discover the life lessons taught by the Three Sisters in the New York Times and Washington Post bestseller, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants. Author and botanist, Robin Wall Kimmerer, has been trained to ask questions of nature with the tools of science. As a member of the Potawatomi Nation, she embraces the notion that plants and animals are our oldest teachers. Kimmerer brings these two lenses of knowledge together to take us on “a journey that is every bit as mythic as it is scientific, as sacred as it is historical, as clever as it is wise” (Elizabeth Gilbert).
Cooking with the Three Sisters
Together, the Three Sisters are a nutritional powerhouse. Corn offers complex carbohydrates, beans are rich in protein, and squash provides the vitamins needed to create a complete meal. There are many ways to incorporate the Three Sisters into your diet. Consider checking out one of the below books for unique Indigenous recipes:
- Deemed 2018’s Best American Cookbook by the James Beard Awards, The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen, by Sean Sherman is a rich education and a delectable introduction to modern Indigenous cuisine of the Dakota and Minnesota territories. Look for Three Sisters Mash, Three Sisters Reduction with Scallops, and the Three Sisters Summertime Salad with Smoked Trout.
- The innovative recipes collected in Heid E. Erdrich’s Original Local: Indigenous Foods, Stories, and Recipes from the Upper Midwest, inspires home cooks to better use Indigenous ingredients and to honor the storied heritage they represent. Included in this collection is a mouthwatering recipe for Three Sisters Salsa—a welcome anytime treat!
- Finally, Seed to Plate, Soil to Sky: Modern Plant-Based Recipes Using Native American Ingredients, by Lois Ellen Frank, celebrates eight plants introduced to the world by Indigenous Peoples. These are corn, beans, squash, chile, tomato, potato, vanilla, and cacao. Highlights of this cookbook include the Three Sisters Tamale with Green Chile and the Three Sisters Rolled Enchiladas.
Final Thoughts
The Three Sisters not only nourish our bodies but also connect us to ancient wisdom and cultural heritage. By learning about this remarkable gardening practice, we honor Indigenous traditions and promote sustainable agriculture. Attend this unique program and discover the magic of the Three Sisters—a legacy that continues to nourish us all.
Please join us at 2 PM on Wednesday, July 31, for The Three Sisters Storytelling and Planting Party with the Oneida Nation Museum. This program is for school-aged children through adults and will be held in the Balkansky Community Room at Manitowoc Public Library. Participants will plant and take home a small pot of the Three Sisters!