New Discoveries in Champlain Region Ethnobotany Thursday, March 7, 2013 Start: 12:00 pm

Within the last four years, Dr. Wiseman, Ph.D., Tribal Council Missisquoi Abenaki Nation, St. Francis-Sokoki Band and Director, Wôbanakik Heritage Center, Swanton, VT. has found new evidence that has caused a re-thinking of our understanding of human-plant relations in the Champlain Basin and environs. New historical and ethnographic evidence of bio-intensive plant management techniques such as agroforestry, and geo-intensive agronomy such as upland conical and streamside linear mound agriculture, have taken our understanding far from the of simplistic hunter-gatherer stereotype popular in teaching about the First Vermonters. This epistemological correction has been reinforced by an adjustment of our understanding of traditional Indigenous Vermont belief systems as they relate to raising traditional crops in these more complex and intensive plant-management systems. Lastly he has been able to discover three new varieties of beans, two of corn, two of squash, one tomatillo relative, and a 450+ year old clone of Jerusalem artichokes that were used in this region by Indigenous Vermonters. Dr. Wiseman's discovery is exciting as now he can present the outlines of a complete system of crops, cropping technologies and agricultural spirituality that is as sophisticated as any in North America. Free with admission.