Swi'te' - Sweet Grass

A Mi'kmaq and Natural Scientist's perspective in sweet grass.

[@doubleo0078]

I too have trouble finding it. My nose says it is right in front of me the smell of it sooo remind me of grandma's home! Now I know it is the Shiniest of all grass should be easy to find. Thank you!

[@abigailbruner]

When I was a girl I used to collect sweet grass in montana. Not only is it delicious to chew on but it is really sturdy and useful...

[@kesslerwatson4085]

Thank you. So educational. I will start growing real sweetgrass and spreading seeds all over my area of WNC and in Cherokee. Thank you both. God bless you abundantly.

[@Eric-mz9en]

Thank you for posting. Glad I stayed till the end.

[@Kattatonik7_yt]

Man, when the floating arms and face were schooling me on the lack of abundance of a plant I myself collect... I was like 😐 But when they started talking for natives, I wondered abt that story. I am Choctaw.

[@dennisthurman2070]

Awesome

[@lynetteruta4866]

wow

[@brentferguson442]

Thank you for sharing this fine video. A question has arisen about how to harvest. Some say the only way is to offer tobacco to the plant's spirit and cut it above the ground. Is there a reason to pull out the entire plant? Does the purple hue help identify it? Does pulling it help aerate the soil and promote further plant growth? Which plants do you harvest, the tallest? Do you pull one in 5 or seven to promote growth of those that remain? I really would appreciate your sharing that knowledge with me! I have asked my own elders how our people did this traditionally, but I am extremely curious how this compares and contrasts with the practices of the Mi'kmaq.

[@WatersDancing]

If pull out the ground you kill it. Cutting it means the plant will regrow back.

[@catharmony2220]

Positifs days

[@Eric-mz9en]

Mother creators lungs.

[@lightupdarkness]

I thought sweet grass was the same as wild sage until now lol

[@24bidy]

vanilla grass or sweet grass is the same grass en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hierochloe_odorata

[@brentferguson442]

The wiki is incomplete. Vanilla grass is of European origin and differs from the strains available in the Americas and that of the Arctic Circle. My memory might be failing a bit - but I believe American version is diploid while the others are mono and triploid. They look similar, but the veins in the leaves as well as the hue of the root differ. I will try to find the old reference on taxonomy to substantiate this poor recollection if you so desire.

[@24bidy]

@@brentferguson442 yes please it will be nice

[@culi7068]

the common name "vanilla grass" is also sometimes applied to the native species. But throughout this video "sweetgrass" refers to the species you pasted above whereas "vanilla grass" refers to en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthoxanthum_odoratum

[@samyza2005]

what kinda Indian is she ? I cree Indian

[@nativestyle26]

narcisse Cardinal Mi’kmaq

[@native4063]

You were never taught properly you don't pull the root ,old women have long sharp thumb nails that are used to cut it at the ground level,all Indians know this,it wants to live and continue like you do

[@theatropawood]

Well it's no wonder the grass is "disappearing", those idiots are pulling it out by the freaking root! You're supposed to cut it above the root so it doesn't die, and leave some tobacco for Mother Earth and Creator before you leave 🤦🏽‍♀️ This is honestly real sketchy...like I get it if your particular tribe doesn't smudge with sweetgrass, but Mi'kmaq often live REAL CLOSE to us Ojibwe, and y'all have at least heard of our old traditions--😑🤨

[@Kattatonik7_yt]

Troof

[@brentferguson442]

As I age, I learn that sometimes what I thought was the right or only way to do things is not the only way. Thus, I choose to learn from elders and open my mind instead of arguing with them. When I think they are wrong is when I have closed my mind to their knowledge. Insulting someone says more about the person disparaging another rather than the object of their criticism.

[@theatropawood]

@@brentferguson442 I don't know where you think you were going with that comment Brent, as if you know anything about where my knowledge on the subject comes from🤡. All of the teachings I have are from my elders, community, ancestors, and scientists. In the case of a sacred medicine that is rapidly becoming endangered due to lack of proper harvesting knowledge and non-Native commercialization, I will happily call out and insult people who are furthering said endangerment, not to mention possibly teaching others this harmful practice. There is only one proper way to harvest sweetgrass without killing it, and that is by trimming at the base and leaving the root to grow. This is relatively common knowledge for Anishinaabeg. In the case of someone pulling the grass in order to move the crop somewhere else, fine. But that is clearly not what these people were doing. I will absolutely close my mind to destructive environmental practices, just as any other self-respecting Native would. This isn't a subjective matter like how to make good frybread, or what jingle dress origin story is "correct". This is pure science, and broadcasting bad examples like this can teach others to harvest incorrectly, furthering the damage.

[@theatropawood]

@@brentferguson442 Also, there are some elders who ARE wrong, and deserve to be disagreed with. My mind is not closed because I argue with an elder's destructive actions. Harmful/ignorant people exist in all age groups, and no elder has immediate entitlement to respect/wisdom just for being older. Elders have to earn respect, as we all do.

[@brentferguson442]

@@theatropawood my reply comes from a deep understanding of the earth and her bounty. Since my attempt to civilly correct your apparent disdain of our communal elders practices is apparent, and your insults as well - I shall attempt to be blunt with you. WE ALL INSULT OTHERS OUT OF OUR OWN FOIBLES. If you cannot find a kind way to help them toward what you deem to be a better practice then it is you who are at fault. That you deem insulting others an acceptable practice does not engender a desire for further communication with you.