November is Native American Heritage Month

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I forgot to post this back in November. It was in 1990 that President George H.W. Bush approved a joint resolution making November "National American Indian Heritage Month". Here are a few interesting Native American facts: * Squash, Corn and beans are designated as the "three sisters" because they nurture each other when planted together. The Iroquois and the Cherokee mixed their crops using a system called "interplanting" which became a central food system in both the North and Southeast. * About 60% of the foods eaten worldwide today were developed by Native Americans. Such foods as tomatoes, potatoes, corn, beans and chocolate originated in the Americas. They were cultivated for thousands of years by Native Americans. * Pemmican is a Native American survival food comprised of dried meats such as elk, deer, moose, bison and salmon mixed with fat and berries. It provides energy and protein in small servings and, if it is made and stored properly it can last for years or even decades. * Grinding acorns into flours Native Americans made stews and bread. Gathering and producing it is tedious work so many times tribes would gather together to gather and process the nuts while sharing news and creating community bonds. * Cranberries had many uses to the Native Americans. It could be eaten as a fresh fruit, made into tea, had a variety of medicinal uses and, was boiled to create dye for clothing. Are any of you part Native American? I am part Cherokee. Like 1/32 or something.