White Corn Project Sustains the Heart, Mind, and Tradition

Iroquois White Corn

White Corn Project Sustains the Heart, Mind, and Tradition

By: Jeremy Valdes-Riccardi

  For centuries, corn has been a staple crop for countless Natives living in the Americas and at the Ganondagan State Historic site, located in Victor, New York, the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) Nation brings this tradition to life through the use of web resources and the Iroquois White Corn Project.

  The project began as the brainchild of Drs. John Mohawk and Yvonne Dion-Buffalo in 1997 as a way of “creating a sustainable market for farmers who could then grow larger quantities of white corn annually; stimulating demand for white corn through the introduction of new dishes and uses; and encouraging greater consumption” of white corn which has been a traditional food staple for the Iroquois nation for countless generations.

  After the deaths of Mohawk and Dion-Buffalo, the project lay dormant until its revitalization by Peter Jemison, manager of the Ganondagan State Historic Site, who eventually moved the project to its current location and established a collaborative effort between the Collective Heritage Institute and local restaurateurs to maintain the tradition and share the history and importance of white corn to the general public.

Corn Braided in the Traditional Style for the Drying Process.

  Iroquois white corn is “a vital food in many Haudenosaunee kitchens across the region” and follows the Iroquois legend and tradition of planting a “Three Sisters Garden” comprised of corn, squash, and beans. The heirloom corn seed grown at the historic site dates back more than 1,400 years and sustained the Seneca people that once lived at the site. The White Corn Project was established to maintain the symbolic importance of the traditional Three Sisters crops while promoting a healthy lifestyle in an effort to integrate tradition into today’s mainstream food trends.

  The project also seeks to create advocacy by exposing Natives and visitors alike to learn and understand the importance of how the crop is obtained, grown, and processed while supporting community agriculture and contemporary trends geared towards promoting healthy food choices and sustainable living.

  The importance and directive of the White Corn Project goes beyond healthy food choices and sustainable agriculture by spreading cultural awareness all while preserving the traditions and history of the crop and how it sustained the Iroquois Nation. By exposing people to the traditional process of growing and harvesting the corn, the traditions and histories of the Iroquois Nation is preserved in the generations that choose to advocate and maintain this tradition.

  The Ganondagan State Historic Site and its website provides a multitude of information and facts regarding art, history, and tradition as well as providing access to the Iroquois White Corn Project and how to become involved. The website provides visitors an opportunity to immerse themselves in the history of the Seneca people, and Iroquois Nation, through the use of interactive imagery, videos and documents as well as gaining insight and opportunities to visit this New York landmark and participate in the many events and programs that the historic site has to offer.

  After reviewing the website, and learning more about the historic site and the Iroquois White Corn Project, I have gained a greater appreciation for the history of the people who once lived in New York as well as learning more about the importance of the corn crop, the Three Sisters Legend, and the techniques used to maintain the tradition and legacy of the Iroquois Nation. Advocacy and engaged learning is key to supporting and maintaining the histories of the First People and to ensure that the generations that follow in our footsteps understand and appreciate the rich cultural traditions of the people who thrived in our own backyards.

To learn more about the Iroquois White Corn Project visit their website at: www.iroquoiswhitecorn.org, or you can obtain additional information on the Ganondagan State Historic Site webpage by visiting: www.ganondagan.org.