Unlike most other Plains Indians, our people grew maize and kept vegetable gardens. Tribal teachings tell of how corn was discovered: Once there was a camp located between two creeks. Seven buffalo stood at the mouth of these creeks. Our people went after them in hunt, but they disappeared. In their place were seven piles of manure with tiny plants sprouting. The Head Chief was called in and it was decided to let them grow and ripen. When we returned tall stalks stood and a man in the camp called Mi-sah husked one of the ears and started a fire. He roasted it and ate some of it and said it was good. We called it wah-tan-zee.

Corn became a staple food in our diet. At planting time, we used our fingers to press a ‘buffalo track’ in the earth and then dropped a maize seed in. Our people also grew beans, squash, pumpkins, and watermelon.

We grew corn in many varieties, including red corn, gray corn, red-speckled and sweet corn.

Our people have long grown maize and kept vegetable gardens. Our relationship with Grandmother Earth has always been one of reciprocity and respect.