While their way of life revolved around hunting, the native peoples
in southern Manitoba also made good use of the plants that grew
in the area. Archeological finds suggest that, for a time at least,
agriculture was practised in the region. Apart from gathering herbs
and wild plants in season both for food and for medicines, the aboriginals
also consumed produce, like corn and squash, that had been cultivated.
They obtained such produce through contact with the Mandan traders
and farmers of the Missouri valley, and in fall, they harvested
wild rice in southern areas. Two people would take a canoe round
the edges of lakes or wetlands. While one paddled, the other would
use ricing sticks, tapping the plants to make the grains of rice
fall into the boat. The rice was later dried, winnowed and stored
for use throughout the year.
Please share any thoughts or suggestions regarding our Web site
Previous |
|
