#wampanoag — Public Fediverse posts

10 #IndigenousGardening Techniques Still Used Today

By: Robin Sweetser, May 3, 2026

"As gardeners, we are connected to all people who have come before us, caring for the earth and learning how to best grow crops. Ready for the best gardening techniques? Let’s have a look at some age-old gardening wisdom that’s still relevant today.

A Long History of #Gardening

#Gourds, #beans, and #peppers were being cultivated in #Mexico by 5500 BC, and by 5000 BC, #maize was being grown in #Mesoamerica, and #potatoes in #SouthAmerica. The success or failure of these crops had a major impact on people’s survival. It was critical not only that the land provided sustenance but that it sustained them year after year, which required knowledge of #sustainable growing techniques to preserve the land for future generations.

We hear buzzwords like 'sustainable' or 'permaculture' and 'organic' today. But these techniques were here long before we started talking about 'going green.' Perhaps your grandparents also knew some of the older, gentler ways. Many are simply intuitive and based on fostering a closer relationship with nature and the land. If you don’t already, you might want to think about integrating some of these techniques into your own landscape.

Many of the following practices are often viewed as 'new' to the gardening world, but they’ve been around for a long, long time. They have all been traditionally used by #NativeAmerican peoples, but that is not to say that all of these techniques were used by all Native American cultures. Just like separate countries, #Indigenous cultures vary widely in their gardening philosophies and techniques. Below are just a few #sustainable, Earth-conscious ways to grow a better garden.

These practices originate from diverse Indigenous nations across North and South America, including the #Haudenosaunee (#Iroquois), #Hopi, #Wampanoag, and many others. Agricultural traditions varied widely by climate, geography, and culture.

Companion Planting (the #ThreeSisters Method)

Time-honored gardening wisdom says that certain plants, when grown together, improve each other’s health and yields. For instance, some plants attract beneficial insects that help to protect a companion, while other plants (particularly herbs) act as repellents.

A commonly cited example is the Three Sisters Garden, which has been traditionally practiced by the Wampanoag people of what is now the northeastern United States. A prime demonstration of companion planting at its best, corn provides support for pole beans to climb, the beans add nitrogen to the soil for future crops to use, and squash leaves shade the soil around the taller plants, like a living mulch. Squash’s prickly leaves also deter marauding animal pests. Some would add a fourth sister—a flowering plant such as #sunflowers—to draw in #pollinators.

#Intercropping or #polyculture of plants that have mutual benefits (aka companion planting) mimics the way different species grow together in nature. #Monoculture, on the other hand, leads to the exhaustion of soil nutrients. Indigenous people also discovered that plant diversity meant diet diversity. If one crop should fail, the others could fill that void.

Try 'intercropping' in your vegetable garden. Sneak small crops in between bigger ones; the small crops will be ready before the big ones need the space.

#Terracing for #SoilConservation

Terracing creates flat planting beds in hilly terrain. Taming the steep slopes slows runoff, allowing water to seep into the beds and curb erosion.

Creating terraces in which to garden is an especially good way to garden where rain is seasonal, sporadic, and often comes in heavy downpours. In the southwestern U.S., for example, terracing was key to the agricultural success of the Anasazi and their descendants, the #Hopi, who still use terraced gardens today. This can be seen in the village of #HotevillaBacavi, in northern Arizona, where traditional #TerracedGardens were restored in the 1990s.

If you wish to garden sustainably on sloped land for years to come, the use of terracing is essential in avoiding soil erosion that carries your precious topsoil away.

There are different types of #terracing. If you have a slope, consider using some rocks or retaining walls to create a series of flattened areas, mitigating runoff. Ancient terraces are seen all over the steep terrain in #Greece, too.

Traditional Irrigation Methods

Thousands of years ago, the Anasazi people inhabited what is now the Four Corners region of the U.S., an area known for its low annual rainfall. They traditionally built catchments, check dams (dams made of rock that held onto soil but allowed water to pass through), and reservoirs to collect the infrequent stormwater. The Hopi people of northern Arizona also use these age-old techniques to irrigate their gardens in this arid landscape, although modern technology has allowed for expanded #WaterConservation efforts.

If you live in a dry area, storing water in ponds, cisterns, or even a #RainBarrel is a wise idea, as the reserved water can be used for irrigation as needed.

Conversely, in areas with floods, people learned how to use what could be destructive as a way to boost productivity. For example, one technique was to create shallow depressions so that when the floodwaters rose, the water could be stored. Another technique was to use #canals near rivers to divert water to nearby farmland."

Read more:
https://www.almanac.com/10-indigenous-gardening-techniques-still-used-today

#SolarPunkSunday #GrowYourOwnFood #NativeAmericans #TraditionalTechnology #ClimateChangeGardening #TraditionalEcologicalKnowledge #TEK #TerracedGardens #RainGardens

[LIVE] #NationalDayOfMourning 2025, (27 November 25 @ 12pm ET)

"Since 1970, Indigenous people & their allies have gathered at noon on Cole's Hill in Plymouth to commemorate a National Day of Mourning on the US Thanksgiving holiday. Many Native people do not celebrate the arrival of the Pilgrims & other European settlers. Thanksgiving Day is a reminder of the genocide of millions of Native people, the theft of Native lands and the erasure of Native cultures. Participants in National Day of Mourning honor Indigenous ancestors and Native resilience. It is a day of remembrance and spiritual connection, as well as a protest against the racism and oppression that Indigenous people continue to experience worldwide."

National Day of Mourning
Thursday, November 27, 2025
12:00 Noon
Cole's Hill (above Plymouth Rock), Plymouth, MA

Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/live/6u-jF6pHDBg

#UnitedAmericanIndiansOfNewEngland #UAINE #PlymouthMassachusetts #ClimateJustice #DayOfMourning #NoDAPL #LandBack
#DefendTheSacred #MMIWG #NoPipelines #LeaveItInTheGround #HumanRightsAreNeverWrong #LoveYourMotherEarth #ResistWhiteSupremacy #CorporateColonialism #Capitalism
#NativeAmericanActivism #DayOfMourning #Solidarity #WeWillContinue #PlymouthRock
#Wampanoag #FrankJames #FrankWamsuttaJames
#SettlerColonialism #IndigenousHistory
#AmericanHistory #Mayflower
#ThanksgivingMyth #InTheSpiritOfMetacom #LGBTQ #TwoSpirits #MMIWG #LandBack #Resistance #ProtectMotherEarth #FreePalestine #CorporateColonialism #Capitalism #NoMiningWithoutConsent #ColonialismIsACrime #IndigenousResistance #DefendTheSacred #ManifestDestiny

#BrooklynNY to #PlymouthMA - Thursday, November 27
#NationalDayOfMourning

Bus leaves @ 6am
Location: Flanbwayan
3116 Clarendon Rd.
(Bet. E. 31st & E. 32nd)
#BrooklynNY 11226
Bus fee $50
(#2 or 5 train to Beverly)

FMI - https://www.uaine.org/2025_ndom/NDOM%20Orientation%202025.pdf

https://www.uaine.org/

#UnitedAmericanIndiansOfNewEngland #UAINE #PlymouthMassachusetts #ClimateJustice #DayOfMourning #NoDAPL #LandBack
#DefendTheSacred #MMIWG #NoPipelines #LeaveItInTheGround #HumanRightsAreNeverWrong #LoveYourMotherEarth #ResistWhiteSupremacy #CorporateColonialism #Capitalism
#NativeAmericanActivism #DayOfMourning #Solidarity #WeWillContinue #PlymouthRock
#Wampanoag #FrankJames #FrankWamsuttaJames
#SettlerColonialism #IndigenousHistory
#AmericanHistory #Mayflower
#ThanksgivingMyth #InTheSpiritOfMetacom #LGBTQ #TwoSpirits #MMIWG #LandBack #Resistance #ProtectMotherEarth #FreePalestine #CorporateColonialism #Capitalism #NoMiningWithoutConsent #ColonialismIsACrime #IndigenousResistance #DefendTheSacred #ManifestDestiny

ORIENTATION FOR NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING 11/27/25

WHAT IS NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING?

An annual tradition since 1970, National Day of Mourning is a solemn, spiritual and highly political day. Many of us fast from sundown the day before through the afternoon of that day (and have a social after NDOM so that participants in NDOM can break their fasts). We are mourning our ancestors and the genocide of our peoples and the theft of our lands. NDOM is a day when we mourn, but we also feel our strength in action and solidarity.

WHEN AND WHERE IS DAY OF MOURNING?

Thursday, November 27, 2025 (U.S. "thanksgiving" day) at Cole's Hill, Plymouth, Massachusetts, 12 noon SHARP. Cole's Hill is the hill above Plymouth Rock in the Plymouth historic waterfront area. The rallies and marches will last until approximately 3 pm.

WILL THERE BE A MARCH?

Yes, there will be a march through the historic district of Plymouth. Plymouth agreed, as part of the settlement of 10/19/98, that UAINE may march on National Day of Mourning without the need for a permit as long as we give the town advance notice.

PROGRAM

Although we very much welcome our non-Native supporters to join us, it is a day when only Indigenous people speak about our history and the struggles that are taking place throughout the Americas. Speakers are by invitation only. This year's NDOM will be livestreamed from Plymouth.

Note that NDOM is not a powwow or commercial event, so we ask that people do not sell merchandise or distribute leaflets at the outdoor program. We will have UAINE t-shirts available for sale following the march.
We also ask that you do not eat (unless you must do so for medical reasons) at the outdoor speak-out and march out of respect for the participants who are fasting.
Dress for the weather!

SOCIAL

There will be box lunches available for distribution after the march (turkey and vegan), but we will not have a full sit-down social.

FMI - www.uaine.org

#NativeAmericanActivism #DayOfMourning #Solidarity #WeWillContinue #PlymouthRock
#Wampanoag #FrankJames #FrankWamsuttaJames
#SettlerColonialism #IndigenousHistory
#AmericanHistory #Mayflower
#ThanksgivingMyth #InTheSpiritOfMetacom #LGBTQ #TwoSpirits #MMIWG #LandBack #Resistance #ProtectMotherEarth #FreePalestine #CorporateColonialism #Capitalism #NoMiningWithoutConsent #WaterIsLife #LandIsLife #LeaveItInTheGround #ColonialismIsACrime #IndigenousResistance #DefendTheSacred #ManifestDestiny

Join the Bronx Bus for the #NationalDayOfMourning Pilgrimage to #PlymouthMA in resistance to
#SettlerColonialLies!

Meet us on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025
6:00 AM @ Yankee Stadium
corner of 161st St and River Ave, BX

FMI - https://www.uaine.org/2025_ndom/NDOM%20Orientation%202025.pdf

https://www.uaine.org/

#UnitedAmericanIndiansOfNewEngland #UAINE #PlymouthMassachusetts #ClimateJustice #DayOfMourning #NoDAPL #LandBack
#DefendTheSacred #MMIWG #NoPipelines #LeaveItInTheGround #HumanRightsAreNeverWrong #LoveYourMotherEarth #ResistWhiteSupremacy #CorporateColonialism #Capitalism
#NativeAmericanActivism #DayOfMourning #Solidarity #WeWillContinue #PlymouthRock
#Wampanoag #FrankJames #FrankWamsuttaJames
#SettlerColonialism #IndigenousHistory
#AmericanHistory #Mayflower
#ThanksgivingMyth #InTheSpiritOfMetacom #LGBTQ #TwoSpirits #MMIWG #LandBack #Resistance #ProtectMotherEarth #FreePalestine #CorporateColonialism #Capitalism #NoMiningWithoutConsent #ColonialismIsACrime #IndigenousResistance #DefendTheSacred #ManifestDestiny

#NationalDayOfMourning

By #UnitedAmericanIndiansOfNewEngland (#UAINE) Updated November 22, 2025 - #Resist!

"Since 1970, Indigenous people & their allies have gathered at noon on Cole’s Hill in Plymouth to commemorate a National Day of Mourning on the US Thanksgiving holiday. Many Native people do not celebrate the arrival of the Pilgrims & other European settlers. Thanksgiving Day is a reminder of the genocide of millions of Native people, the theft of Native lands and the erasure of Native cultures. Participants in National Day of Mourning honor Indigenous ancestors and Native resilience. It is a day of remembrance and spiritual connection, as well as a protest against the racism and oppression that Indigenous people continue to experience worldwide.

National Day of Mourning
Thursday, November 27, 2025
12:00 Noon
Cole’s Hill (above #PlymouthRock), #PlymouthMA

Join us as we continue to create a true awareness of Native peoples and history. Help shatter the untrue image of the Pilgrims, and the unjust system based on #WhiteSupremacy, #SettlerColonialism, #sexism, #homophobia and the profit-driven destruction of the Earth that they and other European settlers introduced to these shores.

#Solidarity with #IndigenousStruggles throughout the world!

From #TurtleIsland to #Palestine, #Colonialism is a Crime!

While many supporters will attend in person, we will also Livestream the event from Plymouth.

United American Indians of New England (decolonizing since 1970)
[email protected] * #UAINE

#NDOM2025 #NoThanksNoGiving

No sit-down social, but box lunches will be available.
Masks required.

What is National Day of Mourning?

An annual tradition since 1970, National Day of Mourning is a solemn, spiritual and highly political day. Many of us fast from sundown the day before through the afternoon of that day (and have a social after #NDOM so that participants in NDOM can break their fasts). We are mourning our ancestors and the #genocide of our peoples and the theft of our lands. NDOM is a day when we mourn, but we also feel our strength in action and solidarity.

When and where is Day of Mourning?

Thursday, November 27, 2025 (U.S. “thanksgiving” day) at Cole’s Hill, Plymouth, Massachusetts, 12 noon SHARP. Cole’s Hill is the hill above Plymouth Rock in the Plymouth historic waterfront area. The rallies and marches will last until approximately 3 pm.

Will there be a march?

Yes, there will be a march through the historic district of Plymouth. Plymouth agreed, as part of the settlement of 10/19/98, that UAINE may march on National Day of Mourning without the need for a permit as long as we give the town advance notice.

Program

Although we very much welcome our non-Native supporters to join us, it is a day when only Indigenous people speak about our history and the struggles that are taking place throughout the Americas. Speakers are by invitation only. This year’s NDOM will be livestreamed from Plymouth.

Note that NDOM is not a powwow or commercial event, so we ask that people do not sell merchandise or distribute leaflets at the outdoor program. We will have UAINE t-shirts available for sale following the march.
We also ask that you do not eat (unless you must do so for medical reasons) at the outdoor speak-out and march out of respect for the participants who are fasting.
Dress for the weather!

Social

There will be box lunches available for distribution after the march (turkey and vegan), but we will not have a full sit-down social.

Livestream

If you cannot get to Plymouth, you can watch ourlivestream!"

FMI - https://popularresistance.org/national-day-of-mourning-2/

Link to livestream:
https://www.youtube.com/live/6u-jF6pHDBg

#NativeAmericanActivism #DayOfMourning #Solidarity #WeWillContinue #PlymouthRock
#Wampanoag #FrankJames #FrankWamsuttaJames
#SettlerColonialism #IndigenousHistory
#AmericanHistory #Mayflower
#ThanksgivingMyth #InTheSpiritOfMetacom #LGBTQ #TwoSpirits #MMIWG #LandBack #Resistance #ProtectMotherEarth #FreePalestine #CorporateColonialism #Capitalism #NoMiningWithoutConsent #WaterIsLife #LandIsLife #LeaveItInTheGround #ColonialismIsACrime #IndigenousResistance #DefendTheSacred #ManifestDestiny

More from #KishaJames' powerful speech at the #NationalDayOfMourning :

We Will Continue

"We will continue to gather on this hill until we are free from this oppressive system -- until corporations and the U.S. military stop polluting the Earth, until we dismantle the brutal apparatus of mass incarceration.

"We will not stop until the oppression of our LGBTQ and Two Spirit siblings is a thing of the past; until unhoused people have homes; until there are no more murdered and missing indigenous women and other relatives; until human beings are no longer deported or locked in cages at the U.S. border -- despite the fact that no one no one is illegal on stolen land; until no person goes hungry or is left to die because they have little or no access to quality health care; until insulin is free; until union busting is a thing of the past.

"We will not stop until the U.S. ends its Colonial occupations of Puerto Rico and the Sovereign Kingdom of Hawaii; until the U.S. stops its warmongering worldwide; until the US ends its interventions in Haiti and repays the billions it stole from the Haitian
people; until the U.S. pays reparations to Black Americans; until land back for Native Nations; until Free Palestine.

"Until then, the struggle will continue -- in the spirit of Crazy Horse, in the spirit of Metacom, in the spirit of Geronimo, above all, to all people who fight and struggle for real Justice.

"We are not vanishing we are not conquered. We are as strong as ever."

https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2024/11/in-her-grandfathers-legacy-kisha-james.html

#NationalDayOfMourning #PlymouthRock #Wampanoag #SettlerColonialism #DayOfMourning
#InTheSpiritOfMetacom
#ReaderSupportedNews #LGBTQ #TwoSpirits #MMIWG

In Her Grandfather's Legacy: #KishaJames Destroys the Myth of a #Pilgrims #Thanksgiving

"We are not vanishing. We are not conquered. We are as strong as ever." Kisha James, granddaughter of #Wamsutta.

By #BrendaNorrell, Nov. 28, 2024 #CensoredNews original series

"Kisha James began the National Day of Mourning on Plymouth Rock with the words of her grandfather Wamsutta, words that the settlers tried to silence, and the factual account of the first Thanksgiving: The slaughter of Pequot women and children."

Read more:
https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2024/11/in-her-grandfathers-legacy-kisha-james.html

#NationalDayOfMourning #PlymouthRock #Wampanoag #FrankJames #SettlerColonialism #Pilgrims #IndigenousHistory #AmericanHistory #Mayflower #DayOfMourning #ThanksgivingMyth #ReaderSupportedNews

#TruthBeTold

The Pilgrims were illegal immigrants, but the Americans still used them as farm workers to pick corn.

- - -
#TruthBeTold = A statement that is logically or literally true (or partly true), but seems to imply something that isn’t true or is just plain weird. (for rhetoric, logic or propaganda studies… or just for fun)

#immigration #illegal #undocumented #FarmWorkers #farm #agriculture #Pilgrims #NativeAmericans #Nauset #Wampanoag #corn #3Sisters #Americans