Throughout the history of the Choctaw Nation, this time of year has always held an important place on the Chahta calendar. It is generally an important time to plant beans, corn, and squash, which can be harvested later in the year for food.
While there may not be quite as many farmers on the reservation as there were during the time of our ancestors, planting time is still in the spotlight for present day Chahta thanks to the Choctaw Nation’s “Growing Hope” program.
Growing Hope is our program that distributes heirloom Chahta seeds to Choctaw tribal members and surrounding community members, helping keep our agricultural heritage alive and well.
Applications for the program can be found online – distributions are expected to go through April.
While supplies last, the following seeds are currently offered:
- Isito (Choctaw Sweet Potato Squash)
- Tanchi Tobi (Choctaw flour corn)
- Tobi (Smith Peas)
- Chukfi (Rabbit Peas)
- Hakchuma (perique Tobacco)
- Tvnishi (lambsquarter)
- Hvshi Pakanli (Seneca Sunflower)
Seeds from several additional Choctaw varieties are currently being grown to one day have enough to share. Traditional Choctaw produce is in many ways more nutritious than other popular foods in grocery stores, and health is as important to the nation as food sovereignty. Choctaw sweet potato squash is high in magnesium, zinc, vitamin A and iron. Choctaw Tanchi is a flour corn that can grow up to 20 feet tall. This corn is traditionally made into a corn-meal dough paste that the Choctaw people put beans in, wrap in corn husks and drop in boiling water, making a delicious meal called Banaha that is like tamales.
Seeds have always played an integral part of the Choctaw Nation’s early growth and prosperity. It ensured the Tribe was healthy and fit to do all the things needed to grow the Tribe and hunt for food to remain safe during the winter months. Our Choctaw ancestors were aware of the importance of seeds and what they meant to the Tribe.
When our Chahta ancestors were forced from their native lands during the Trail of Tears, Chahta women would sew seeds for traditional fruits, herbs and vegetables into the hems of their dresses to hide them from the U.S government.
To learn more about the Growing Hope Initiative and seed availability, contact Jacqueline Putman at 918-567-3709, extension 1016.