Bbon was a challenging time for Great Lakes tribes. Small families moved into the forest seeking shelter from the snow and cold. As resources declined, food that had been collected from the previous month’s hunts, harvests and gatherings were shared. To supplement winter supplies, Potawatomi ice fished, hunted and trapped small game. Meats and fish smoked and dried earlier were …
Potawatomi observed Bkongises in spring, but harvesting bark continued throughout the warmer months as tree sap flowed heavier. The more sap a tree produced, the easier it was to peel its bark. The sap also acted as a safety barrier, protecting the tree from pests and disease after it was peeled. A variety of bark species were harvested, each having …
For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples of the Great Lakes have harvested cranberries in dgwaget. Our word for cranberry, bokmen, describes how the fruit grows on low hanging vines near the water of swamps and bogs. The highly nutritious and antioxidant rich berries were used by our ancestors as seasonal fare, medicinal teas, natural dye and ornamentation. Today, Wisconsin is …
Like many French-Canadian settlers with ties to the Potawatomi, the Brunos were once successful fur traders and trappers. Anthony Bruneau was the son of a French settler and an unknown Blackfoot woman from around Browning, Montana. Anthony was born in Canada, and family records indicate the Potawatomi may have adopted him. Anthony married a woman named Julia, and they had …
Translated as “the time when plants stop growing,” dgwaget was traditionally a time of harvest and final preparation for winter. Food and supplies collected during the warmer months were readied for storage and travel. Still today, Bodéwadmi honor the season and Creator for what was provided, hosting feasts and ceremonies during the Moons of autumn. Within the expansive Great Lakes …
The final moon of dgwaget was Giwségises or Hunting Moon. Taught at an early age, men were instructed by their fathers and uncles how to use the bow, spear and snare to hunt game large and small. Potawatomi used the village orchards that provided beechnuts, acorns and chestnuts in early fall as hunting and trapping grounds for foraging deer, turkey …
Aside from being skilled hunters, fishermen and food gatherers, Potawatomi were successful agriculturalists. Villages used an ancient technique known as slash and burn to clear and convert forests into enriched agricultural fields. The size and pattern of fields utilized the land’s natural shape. Tools made of bone, stone and wood were used to cultivate a variety of crops. Foods planted …
The negosek (stars) and their constellations help steer our thoughts and teachings, as much of our ancient knowledge originates from the sky. Each season the sky changes and familiar constellations are seen again. During mnokme, the mdodowgemek (sweat lodge) constellation can be seen within the Roman constellation, Corona Borealis. The stars create the dome-shaped structure we recognize as our sweat …
Marking the end of summer is Mnomneké-Gizes (Ricing Moon), when Bodéwadmi and other Nishnabé travel to their annual wild rice camps for harvest. Harvest is a time to strengthen community bonds, connect with and bring balance to Segmekwé (Mother Earth). A sacred and essential food, mnomen was and is still eaten throughout the year. Highly nutritious, it was traditionally the …
Niben was the time of plenty. Villages converged to dance, celebrate and play games, strengthening the bonds among Potawatomi people and culture. With an abundance of natural resources, our ancestors tended to their fields, gathered fruit, nuts and wild plants, and harvested a variety of animals for food, tools and clothing. What was not used, shared or traded was stored …