This episode features a conversation in early July 2024 with Mohegan tribal members Sharon Maynard and Rachel Sayet about traditional Mohegan food. 

Sharon Maynard is a Mohegan elder and a Tribal Nonner. Retired after serving 12 years on the Council of Elders, Sharon’s interests include food sovereignty, seed saving, and decolonizing our diets. She has a BA in anthropology and an AS in food service management. 

Rachel Sayet (Akitusut) is a Mohegan writer, teacher, and indigenous food specialist. Rachel has a BS in restaurant management and an MA in anthropology. She has spent her adult life trying to cultivate awareness of Native New England. She worked for the Mohegan tribe for 8 years in their cultural department spearheading grassroots efforts in revitalizing traditional foods and diabetes prevention.

FOOD AND MEDICINE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Maple, Birch

Blueberries, Strawberries, Fiddlehead Ferns

Milkweed, Sassafras, Elder, Boneset

Corn, Beans, Squash, Sunflowers, Tobacco

Succotash (Corn, Beans, Salt Pork, Salt and Pepper)

Johnny Cakes (Journey Cakes)

Yokaeg (traveling food made of dried, parched corn which has been ground finely with a mortar and pestle).

Clams, Quahogs, Scallops, Shad, Salmon

Fry Bread, Indian Tacos, Buffalo and Alligator Burgers

LINKS:

Mohegan Tribe

Rachel Beth Sayet, Indigenous Educator, Lightworker, Chef, Herbalist

Tantaquidgeon Museum

Gladys Tantaquidgeon - in Memorium

Makiawisug, or the Little People at Mohegan Hill

Eastern Woodlands Rematriation

Sherry Pocknett, Mashpee Wampanoag chef, Sly Fox Den Restaurant

The Man Who Weeps, story by Dale Carson, Abenaki cookbook author, in Dawnland Voices 2.0

Strawberry Thanksgiving, by Paula Dove Jennings, Narragansett 

Sioux Chef, Sean Sherman, Oglala Lakota Sioux

Yazzie the Chef, Brian Yazzie, Diné

Rowen White, Mohawk/Kanienkeha:ka, seed keeper

THIS EPISODE SUPPORTED BY:

• • YOU! Please become a Patron for $1 or more a month at Patreon.com/trueloveseeds

ABOUT:

Seeds And Their People is a radio show where we feature seed stories told by the people who truly love them. Hosted by Owen Taylor of Truelove Seeds and Chris Bolden-Newsome of Sankofa Community Farm at Bartram’s Garden.

trueloveseeds.com/blogs/satpradio

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Truelove Seeds

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Sankofa Community Farm at Bartram’s Garden

THANKS TO:

• Rachel Sayet and Sharon Maynard