Harvesting Foods & Medicines in the Siouan Homelands (Online)

What are Indigenous foods, where do we get them, and how are they prepared and used? Many native North American foods were removed from our diets through intentional colonial efforts. In this live Zoom presentation, Jerome Kills Small describes the medicinal foods and plants that grow in the Siouan Homelands—which includes the present-day areas of the Great Plains and Midwest. He will talk about the universal uses, legends, and history of the plants in Native American life. Come learn about an important culinary culture long buried and take first steps toward helping to revitalize and to reincorporate these important foods into the contemporary diet. Registration required.

Don't have a smart device to view this program? Contact us about viewing the program at the Library in our Zoom room.

About the Presenter:

Jerome Kills Small is an Oglala Lakota from Porcupine, South Dakota, on the Pine Ridge Reservation. A 1997 graduate from the University of South Dakota, with an M.A. in Selected Studies, and retired after 20 years at USD. He taught Lakota Language, American Indian Thought, Siouan Tribal Culture, Early Native American History. He is featured in the book, Wounded Warriors: A Time for Healing, and has a story in the Silver Anniversary Anthology published by the SD Humanities Council. Mr. Kills Small has parts in the videos: Sucker Punched, Nagi Kicopi (Calling Back the Spirit,) Lost Landscapes, and Bones of Contention: Repatriation and Reburial (BBC.)

Jerome is a storyteller for public schools, museums, and colleges. Jerome translates, explains, and sings Lakota ceremonial, sweatlodge, powwow, rabbit, round dance, warrior, vision quest, and sundance songs. He sings with the Iron Wing Singers of Wagner, SD. He is a powwow organizer, announcer, arena director, and helps in conducting Lakota ceremonies. He portrayed Tecumseh, a Shawnee Chief and British General. He also portrayed Dr. Charles Alexander Eastman, the first Dakota Medical Doctor. Mr. Kills Small is on the board of Directors for the Native American Advocacy Program: www.lakotanaap.org.