According to Iroquois legend, corn, beans, and squash are three inseparable sisters who only grow and thrive together. This tradition of planting corn, beans and squash together in the same mounds was widespread among Native American farming cultures. In gardening terms, this is a sophisticated, sustainable system that provided long-term soil fertility and a healthy diet, feeding generations.

These gardens are also seen as a powerful feminist symbol, symbolizing women who come together feed and nurture the needy. Maria planted her Three Sisters Garden two weeks ago, and I am charged with watering it every day, a task I love. The nurturing part of me, I think.

The corn, beans and squash seeds are all beginning to sprout, the corn first, the beans next. This garden has become important to us and will be six or eight inches about the ground in just a few weeks. I love the idea of the Three Sisters, this idea of community and coming together sometimes seems lost in our fragmented and anxious and angry culture. We are all so busy being outraged and feeling victimized we forget sometimes what it means to be a  human being. The Three Sisters Garden reminds me.

Human beings can live and be  healthy on the produce from this garden, people have depended on them for thousands of years.