Mandaamin (Corn) Harvest and Braiding Workshop

Join us for a hands-on community gathering centered on traditional foodways and seed sovereignty. Corn braiding is a method of husking and weaving ears of flint corn together for hanging, drying, and long-term storage. 

At this workshop, participants will harvest, learn to braid, dry and store flint corn with Kaya DeerInWater. Dr. James DeDecker will give an overview of flint corn variety performance research and applications. 

Limited on-site lodging is available first come, first served.

Lunch will be provided. 

We will be outdoors, in the corn field, so please dress for the weather.

The event will take place at MSU UP Research and Extension Center - North Farm. Please use N5431 Rock River Rd, Chatham, MI or coordinates 46.35240309635081, -86.93149760703082.

Northern flint corn varieties have been grown for research in collaboration with College of Menominee Nation and Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi. This work is supported by the Tribal Colleges Research Grant Program, project award no. 2024-38424-41469, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Also supported by the Tribal Practices for Wellness in Indian Country Project. Made possible with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This workshop was organized by Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Bay Mills Community College, Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College, FRTEP, Michigan Intertribal Land Grant Extension System, and MSU Extension. 

Contact Biidaaban Reinhardt at reinh136@msu.edu for more information.