Ancient Seeds – Gete Okosomin

Posted bynancyonthehomefrontPosted inGardeningTags:,
finding gete okosomin seeds

As you know we spent the month of October in Keystone, South Dakota. We met a lot of interesting people including a man named David who works with Native Americans. He had a wonderful story to tell us about a squash called Gete Okosomin.Gete okosomin

The seeds of the Gete Okosomin were discovered in 2008 during an archeological dig on a Menominee reservation near Green Bay, Wis. The seeds were found in a clay ball, used for storing seeds. These squash seeds eventually were given to Winona LaDuke, a longtime advocate for native food sovereignty. She called the squash Gete-okosomin, an Anishinaabe word that roughly translates to “really cool old squash”.  Gete okosominThe White Earth Land Recovery Project grew fifty of them, and now have seeds to share with Native communities across the North Country. Now the squash is served to elders, children, and used for ceremonies at White Earth.Gete okosominThe vines of the squash can grown to over 25 feet long and the squash themselves can grow up to three feet long and 18 pounds.

David was given some of the seeds and had to opportunity to grow them himself.

Gete okosomin
Gete okosomin

He had brought one of his squash with him to Keystone. The squash was cooked up and shared one night. This pre-Colombian squash is delicious: hints of melon, terrific texture, and abundant flesh.Gete okosomin There was plenty for all to enjoy and the seeds were dried and shared with everyone who attended the Keystone Training.Gete okosomin seedsStories of seed savers are so interesting. I love hearing how certain varieties of seeds have been saved for hundreds of years. I am so honored to have been given some of these special seeds and will grow them carefully to preserve the purity of the seeds. I have only six seeds but I can’t wait to try growing them in our Vermont garden next year.

For those that are interested there is an update to this post HERE. As well as this article which was sent to me.

508 thoughts on “Ancient Seeds – Gete Okosomin”

  1. Nancy:
    Could you please add me to the list for “the other” year? I would pay for them and would pay for transportation. I am a vegan with digestive problems and squashes are one of those things that I digest better. I would love to grow them for personal consumption. I would share with family and friends of course because it would be too much for me but I would love, love to have that opportunity! Thank You very much for sharing information and seeds! Blessings!
    Myraida

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      1. I would love to purchase some of these seeds I’ve been looking for them for a few months. I would definitely grow them and pass the seeds to my gardening groups. I am a big advocate for seed saving

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  2. I know your list is getting rather large but I would also love some seeds from this amazing squash if you could add me to your list. Read an article about it today, I love gardening and saving seeds, I think these would be amazing to grow.
    My dad is 1/4 Native American and I live right next to an Ojibwa reserve in southern Ontario, I think these would be amazing seeds to grow and share with the native community next door. Though I imagine this plant will take up a good corner of my yard LOL.

    Here’s my email shayleannaj@gmail.com please add me to your list.

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  5. I live in Grass Valley Ca and would love the chance to plant some seeds here and propagate them among our community.

    Bernadette

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  9. I would love to be considered for seeds as well. I have a small walk in green house and have started growing everything I can get my hands on.

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  10. Please sign me up to get some seeds too! I wound love to give them to my mother-in-law for her garden. Paying is fine.

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  11. I would be honored to grow these in my garden. My husband is half Cherokee and would be so surprised. If you could add my name to your growing list I would be grateful! Thanks again, Amy

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  13. Hi from Australia,

    This is simply fascinating! If anyone has a few seeds to drop into an envelope i’d love to plant a few here.

    Kind regards

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    1. Teresa,
      I will hopefully have enough seeds to share with everyone after the harvest next year.I’ve added your name to the list!

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  17. Nancy,

    I have seen articles about the delicious looking Gete-okosomin and its history. I am quite intrigued about this squash and would love to grow some next year. I would love to have the opportunity to grow some of these next year here at our home in Maryland.

    If we can make your list and obtain some of your seeds, I would be very grateful to you.

    Thank you.

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      1. Thank you so much, Nancy. Really looking forward to trying to grow, cook, and bake into pies some of these great squash..

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  20. Hello from Edmonton. If you still have a few seeds to spare, I promise they would not be wasted.
    My father is an amazing gardener. He and I would also share seeds with the local community.
    I have many friends in the local first nations community and I would love the opportunity to share seeds with them.

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    1. Jude,
      Pray that I have an abundant harvest and have enough seeds to share with everyone! I’ve added your name to the list!

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      1. Hi Nancy, I live in Washington state and would love the overt unity to grow this squash. Please add my name to your list. Thanks david

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  23. Please Miss Nancy, could you share with me? We only grow non GMO seeds. I am willing to pay whatever you need! Thank you in advance!

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  24. Hello! I would love to be added to your list as well! My aunts are horticulturists and I would absolutely LOVE to give them seeds for their garden!

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  25. I too would like a few of these precious seeds to grow. More than willing to pay for the seeds and of course shipping, postage and tax. Thank you for your consideration.

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  26. How can I get seeds for our planting. We are eating healthier and gardening naturally using heirloom seeds as well as sharing our seeds with others. Please advise how we may obtain these seeds. Thanks, Lou

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    1. Lou,
      I don’t believe the seeds are averrable commercially yet but I have added your name to my list and hopefully will have enough seeds to share after my harvest next year!

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  27. Hope you have enough seeds. I would like to plant in Northern California. Thank you for being involved in this project. Let me know the cost.

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    1. Karen,
      I have added your name to the list! If everyone prays for an abundant harvest I should have enough seeds to go around!

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  30. Hello, i would love to be added to your ever growing list as well. I too am part native american and trying to preserve a rare recently discovered native american squash found growing wild in the south east desert of Utah. I have named it “Wild Pueblo” for it’s wild nature and both of our pueblo ancestry. It actually shares some resemblance in color and markings of the Gete-okosomin, but it is a round squash, not oblong. (http://alanbishop.proboards.com/thread/8499/wild-pueblo-squash)

    Anyway, thanks! And keep up the great work!

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  33. Hello!

    I just heard about this amazing story. I’d love to grow some in my garden. I’m french and I live in Strasbourg. I guess it would be fun if the seeds could cross the ocean that way ! I have many friends and familly spread everywhere in France, and I can give them some seed after my own harvest!
    Of course I’ll pay for the sending fees if you add me to your list 😉
    (I’m sorry if I made mistakes, and I’m quite sure I did..)

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      1. Hey! What’s new? Sorry i didn’t come back on time.

        Did it grow well? How tasty are the Okosomins?

        Do you still have some seeds? I’m getting my garden ready for this year, it would be the perfect timing 😉

        See You !

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  35. I was pleased to hear about these squash! What a wonderful discovery! I would be most happy to receive some of these seeds to grow these squash in my garden here in Huntsville, Ontario. Could you please put me on your ever growing list? Please let me know about cost, and postage payments. My family has First Nations heritage, and I would share these seeds, or the seeds of my first harvest with them all. Our ancestors, I think, would be pleased to know that something so important would be shared, and enjoyed by people so many generations in the future 🙂

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  37. Wow! What an opportunity you had getting some seeds snd trying squash. You have any more details on growth habits and tolerance ? Has it been found to be a good keeper?

    I know the list must be long if possible sen some my way or you know anyone else as possible sorce? Are any going to be sent to Seed Savers in Wisconsin? They have the know how to really preserve this ancient treasure.

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    1. Mark,
      I only have the information shared to my by David, the man who gave me the seeds. It seems to be a good storing winter squash. I know various folks are studying this plant so I sure hope they’ve sent some seeds to the Seed Savers in Wisconsin!

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  38. I would love to have some of these seeeds. Would you please add me to your list. Obviously I’ll pay for them in addition to shipping. Thank you very much for considering my request. This is an amazing opportunity for my garden and table.

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  39. I would love to try this squash, but I can never seem to grow anything right. So hopefully some of you green thumbs can bring this back enough that those of us who can only seem to kill plants and vegetation can get a taste one day. I am not ever asking for seeds, just hoping to sample it one day.

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  40. Nancy,

    Like the vegan above, I am a person with multiple digestive and autoimmune disorders and must eat a highly specialized diet, of which squash is one of relatively few things I can eat without distress. I recognize that your list is prohibitively long at this point, but I would pay for both the seeds and postage for either this year or the next. If I cannot be on the list, I appreciate the consideration all the same. This was a magnificent blog post and tribute to this beautiful hidden North American gem!

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  41. I am interested in growing the Gete Okosomin in my garden next year.
    postage is no trouble.
    I am unsure of the number of people you have on your list, but I bet it is going to get quit large before spring 2016
    Bob In Sawyer Michigan

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    1. Bob,
      You are right the seed request list is getting quite long, however I am hoping to get a few squash to harvest and there are hundreds of seeds in a mature squash so let’s just hope for an abundant harvest with seeds to share with everyone! I’ve added your name to my list!

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      1. Me too, me too! I would love to grow this amazing squash. I teach elementary school and we study the Native American people. This would be a very cool addition to our unit of study.

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  42. Nancy, I would love to be added to this very long list! I am an avid gardener and seed saver in Western Washington, and have been looking for a new (old) winter squash to grow consistently every year, and pass along to others! Thanks for your consideration. 🙂

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  43. I WAS SO EXCITED TO SEE THIS DISCOVERY OF THIS ANCIENT SQUASH. I HOPE IT CAN BE REPRODUCED IN ABUNDANCE SO ALL WHO WOULD LIKE TO GROW THEM CAN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY. IF THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF OBTAINING JUST A COUPLE OF THE SEEDS SO I COULD SEE IF THEY WOULD REPRODUCE HERE IN SOUTH TEXAS DURING OUR COOLER MONTHS IT WOULD BE AMAZING.. PLEASE CONSIDER MY REQUEST IT IT IS AT ALL POSSIBLE. I WANT TO PAY FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THE PAST GROW IN MY GARDEN. THANK YOU AND GOOD LUCK IN THE SPRINGTIME.

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  44. Hi Nancy,
    Loved the article and am so intrigued by this. Can you kindly add my name to the list. I would gladly pay you for them. Thank you.

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  45. I think this has to be the story of a lifetime for gardeners… wow.. im so amazed!!
    i love harvesting seed from every years garden and have many varieties from many years past..
    im sure im preaching to the quire about my pasion.. Nancy, i would love to get on your list for some Gete seeds. how ever long it takes 🙂 and thank you for sharing this wonderful not so little miracle..
    Robert… Robpdx111@gmail.com

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  46. I would love to grow the ancient squash in my Minnesota garden! I have both Potawatomi and Dakota ancestors – it would be an honor to grow this squash, and then be able to share seeds with others next year. I would pay your fee, postage as requested. Thank you for considering me.
    Linda, Stillwater, MN

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  47. Am a lifelong gardener and part Native American. Would love to grow and eat these as a way of connecting with my ancestors. Of course would also share seeds with everyone I can.

    Here is an interesting article about the Gete-okosomin squash. Whichever story (or both) is true, it is clear that this variety of squash has a long heritage among North American Native peoples.

    Click to access Squash-story.pdf

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  48. Hello Nancy,
    I would love to grow this interesting squash and would appreciate if you could add my name to your list.
    Thank you!

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  49. please add me to the seed list! I am in a part of northern ca with many American Indian students…. I would love to share this with them and have our science classes grow them (I am a middle school principal).
    Thanks!
    Shellye

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  50. Nancy, if you have the abundant harvest we all hope for, a few seeds are still available and would be so kind as to send me some, I will grow, harvest and collect the seeds from every squash I grow. I will return the seeds from all but one squash to you. The seeds I keep I will use for next years crop and from that crop I will distribute seeds to others interested in cultivating this incredible squash. Nice of you to pay it forward.

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