Medicine Picking & Identification with Mark Eshkawkogan

In this week's episode, Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory resident Mark Eshkawkogan takes us around Wiky, in early June 2020, to show us what medicines are available during this mid-spring season.  Encouraging us to "get to know the medicines" in our own back yard, he shows that nature will provide us with medicines, as well as delicious and healthy seasonal food, if you know where and when to find it.   

Fiddlehead ferns, hawks wing mushrooms, lady slipper flowers, rhubarb, and Indian Candy (wild parsley), growing  right here and right now on the rez, and are all the ingredients needed to make a delicious Anishinaabe Salad!  Try it out!

Incorporating the traditional knowledge that he grew up learning from his mom and grandparents, as well as contemporary information that can be found on the internet, Mark shows that while you still have to do your research before you put just anything you find in the bush in your mouth, it is exciting and fun to discover new plants and medicines. 

And this time of year, spring, is when new life emerges from the land, after winter's slumber.  Our ancestors regarded spring as the beginning of the new year, as life returns and begins to flourish again.  The fish are spawning, animals have woken up and are roaming the bush again, the morels and fiddleheads are ready to harvest, etc. 

Every season has its gifts and things things to do to keep us busy.  Mark, who is endlessly knowledgeable of the old traditional Anishinaabe ways, describes old methods and uses of certain plants, like how lady slipper flowers can be used to prevent aging by massaging them into your skin; and how in old old times, green garter snakes were also used for this same reason!  Fascinating to say the least!  Tune in and check it out!

Aho Miigwetch!

Music: "Valley Drive" by The Whole Other