By Ajiijaak Rauworth, PIO Intern
In the northernmost pocket of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, interns loaded up on sunscreen and bug spray to explore an area called the Moquah Barrens. This all-day medicine harvest in late June, led by GLIFWC’s Miles Falck, Oneida citizen and wildlife section leader is an annual intern field activity.
“It’s important to be more connected to everything we’re doing instead of just buying ingredients off the shelf,” said Falck. Before any plants were harvested, interns established a connection with their surroundings by first offering asemaa, declaring their good intentions, and asking the plant for permission to harvest.
“Laying down tobacco demonstrates respect and recognizes the plant as a being,” Falck explained.
Interns dispersed over the rolling hills of the barrens and filled their paper bags with the specific medicine they were tasked with harvesting.
Once harvested, these plants will rest and dry out for the next 12 months. When the plants are fully desiccated, their foliage is carefully picked from the stems.
While Falck typically dries medicines for an entire year while waiting for the next cohort of interns, some plants can be ready for processing with aged tobacco to make a traditional giniginige (mixture) in as little as 4-8 weeks. Drying time can also depend on community practices or elder teachings.
Creating unique blends, connections
To prepare the base mix, the inner bark of red osier dogwood is scraped out. From there, a mix of bearberry, tobacco, and mullein are added. However, it’s important to note that there are many variables that can affect what goes into a mix; the teachings of a community, its environment, and the intended use of each blend can be specialized.
“We’re all helpers of the earth,” said Kathy Smith GLIFWC’s Manoomin Ganawandang (she who takes care of the rice) in explaining the importance of interns being in the field. “How can our interns and future professionals be advocates for Anishinaabe people if they haven’t done it themselves?”
In reflecting on the experience at the Moquah Barrens, Kayle Benesh, an intern with Inland Fisheries said: “It’s really amazing not only to gain those teachings, but also to then be able to utilize them in the field.”
The first destination for the intern-assisted asemaa blend each year is the GLIFWC-led Healing Circle Run, that has been connecting Ojibwe communities since 2001. After that it will find itself used at the Mikwendaagoziwag (they are remembered) memorial ceremony. GLIFWC staff uses the mix for seasonal solstice ceremonies and encourages personal staff usage as well.
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to reconnect and learn,” Benesh said.