MANITOWANING—It’s been 14th years and counting for the annual Debajehmuhjig Storytellers Seed Swap, an event that combines an opportunity to share and exchange heritage seeds, learning about all things land-based and a good helping of the performing and visual arts to entertain through the day.
The all-day April 5 event featured ‘Silk Screening’ with Gino Cacciotti in the visual arts studio utilizing student-designed images. Images created by Sapper Migwans entitled ‘Honouring the Three Plants’ were on hand for the event. Attendees were encouraged to bring a T-shirt (suitable for printing) to take part in a hands-on experience. Mr. Migwans explained that the images feature the three foundational plants of the Anishinabe rendered incorporating the sacred numbers of seven, three and the Four Directions.
Mr. Cacciotti, who is also a baker and stone mason, supplied the delicious focaccia bread that featured in the meals offered free of charge to attendees.
Also taking place throughout the day was live music featuring various local artists and the opportunity to meet and purchase Island goods from vendors taking part in the market. The Seed Swap itself began at 10 am.
The workshops began even before that, with a 9 am presentation, ‘Let’s Plant Together,’ with the redoubtable and multitalented Ashley Manitowabi—actor, musician, videographer and a long-term member of the land-based theatre troupe.
At 11 am ‘Wildflower Seed Strategies’ with Jenn Mezeii took attendees through the winning strategies for livening up your surroundings with the delightful addition of wildflowers.
At noon, it was ‘Agroecology: skills for successful growing’ by Dan Morrealle who demonstrated the different ways of propagating plants by seed, cutting and division as well as going on to host a discussion on bioindication and utilizing botanical extracts for pest management.
Other workshops throughout the day included demonstrations on saving five food crop seeds with Peggy Baillie and a sharing circle about cultivating regeneration on Mnidoo Mnising, facilitated by Theodore Flamand.
Topping off the day was an improv performance by the emerging artists of Debajehmujig Storytellers.
The day was made possible thanks to the sponsorship Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, the Ontario Arts Council and Canada Council for the Arts, as well as the Government of Canada.
