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The Ojibwe lunar calendar puts the sugar bush moon, or “Iskigamizige-giizas,” in April, but maple sap can start to run as early as February depending on the location. This time of year, Native families and communities in the northern United States and southern Canada are tapping trees or are getting ready to. It takes about 50 gallons of sap to make one gallon of maple syrup. We explore the maple syrup-making process and the cultural importance behind it.
Guests:
Gidigaa Bizhiw (Keweenaw Bay Indian Community) – director of recruitment at Michigan technological university’s school of forest resources and environmental science
David Manuel (Anishinaabe) – foods planner for the Red Lake local Foods Initiative
Marie Harnois (member of the Passamaquoddy Tribe) – manager for Passamaquoddy Maple Syrup
Break 1 Music: Intertribal (song) Tha Tribe (artist) Woodland Groove (album)
Break 2 Music: Vipismal – The Hummingbird Song (song) Earl Ray (artist) Traditional Songs Of The Salt River Pima (album)
