Sacred Connections: Indigenous Knowledge and Tea. A perfect blend. – Rye Karonhiowanen Barberstock & John Snell

How a deep understanding and connection of and with the land by indigenous peoples was a pre-historical sustainability platform that is as, if not more, relevant today when modern teachings have failed us. 
The territory of the Dish with One Spoon recognizes plants not only as living beings but also as wise ambassadors and philosophers of the land, having witnessed the passage of time. They carry stories and wisdom from their ancestral lands, nurturing relationships that have flourished for thousands of years. These plants embody a deep understanding of the intricate bonds between people, places, and their plant and animal relatives.
Throughout the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Belt treaty lands in southern Ontario, the Haudenosaunee and Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg peoples uphold sacred protocols for gathering plants for tea. Their teachings demonstrate that harvesting begins with tobacco offerings and prayers to acknowledge the spirit of the plant. This practice honours our reciprocal covenant with Mother Earth.
As honoured plant relatives and teachers, they generously share knowledge of healing and guide us in sustaining our communities through their medicinal gifts. Over time, the ceremonial sharing of tea has evolved into a living expression of our ancient treaty relationships, bringing people together in circles of wellness and community. This way, traditional ecological knowledge informs our sustainable relationships with the land, building upon a sacred philosophy deeply engrained in local ecologies.
Compressing 35 years of tea knowledge into relevant sound “sips”