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”

  2. Hello,
    I would like to order some of the ancient squash seeds…very interesting story on this find, sounds like striking gold.
    Would you please let me know when you could send, & the cost?
    Thank you,
    Edie

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  4. Please add my name to the list of those who would love to have a seed to grow this ancient food stuff in my garden. I would be happy to contribute to the expenses of this effort to popularize this squash thought to be extinct.

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  9. I would also love to attempt to grown the Gete Okosomin in Louisiana. I am willing to pay for the seeds and any costs incurred.

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  10. Hey! I would love to grow these seeds in our eco comunity in ibiza, please let us know when you have seeds available, its amazing to be able to grow something that didnt pass trough any degenerative process maryhha1@wp.pl you find us on fb too, thank you!

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  12. Please add me to your list, as I too want some of these seed. I am Cherokee, and want to grow an all heirloom Native American garden. Blessings, Kay

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  14. Hallo Nancy , I really want to get this growing over here in England , with a view to sharing .I would love if anyone out there who has been successful in growing Gete-okosomin Squash , could let me have a couple of their seeds .Please get in touch with me !
    I was wondering could you do us an update on this ?
    Isn’t wonderful and SO exciting ? !
    Daisy Debs

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  15. Sorry I missed out “it” in my last sentence . Isn’t it wonderful and SO exciting ? ! I thought about letting it go but , nope……” It ” makes a whole big difference to that sentence . lol ! Daisy Debs : )

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  16. Hello, I have been very interested in learning more about this plant and would like to try my hand at growing the squash (as well as getting my son into growing/harvesting crops) for our home garden. Can I be added to the list please?

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  17. Hello Nancy,

    I would like to be add to the list of future clients. It a very special squash, and I would like to make them grow in Québec.

    Thanks a lot

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  18. Hello,
    My name is Antonio and I am from Madrid, Spain. I would like to plant some seeds in my garden the old continent. I appreciate to be informed about availability of seeds.
    Best regards
    Anthonio

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  19. I would be interested in 2 seeds, please. I was able to grow several un-named Blue Hopi Squash last year. The gal that sent them to me was from the Southwest and told me they too were a very old squash her family had grown for generations but hadn’t grown for years…the seeds came from a squash that had self-seeded over and over again. I was very impressed with the squash…I harvested in September and they are still as good as the day I set them out to cure…7 months. I’ve been gardening since a small child (I’m 62) and started seed saving/rescuing since 1982. I’ve always enjoyed raising squash, beans and melons…especially drought tolerant varieties. Thank you for your time.

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  20. Good evening…or morning 🙂
    I’m an italian farmer and i really would like to have some seeds if possibile.
    Thanks anyway for your answer.

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    1. Lorenzo, I have added your name to my list. Pray for an abundant harvest so I have plenty of seeds for all!

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  32. I am a private plant collector near Bridgewater, and I would LOVE to get seeds!! I would be willing to buy some, but I would prefer to trade some of my plants for some. Please put me on the list!

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  33. I would like to give this a try as well-please put me on your list for 3 or 4 seeds when you have them available. I was wondering if this was similar in taste and texture to the Boston Marrow? Thanks, Jim

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    1. Jim,
      I’m happy to add your name to my list and will let you know when I have seeds available! I have never tried the Boston Marrow so I can’t compare. It was a delicious squash, not overly sweet but a wonderful texture and taste!

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  34. Hello, I would absolutely love to grow some of these ancient heirloom squash, can I please be added to your list for some seeds.

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  35. I am the garden leader for My first nations garden here in Toronto. It would be great to grow this squash with the elders and youth of my community.

    Thank you in advance.

    Regards,

    I. Crosby

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    1. Issac,
      By al means I will add your name to my list! I’m wondering if you knew my aunt Cathleen Kneen, she was an active seed saver in Ottawa and Toronto! She used to live in Toronto.

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  36. I want to buy some of these magnificent seeds!
    Thanks for sharing information about them!

    Thanks,
    Janet Pickel

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      1. What a fantastic story and the ancient squash looks huge! This looks similar to a “Candy Roaster” and I would love an opportunity to grow this in North Carolina. Nancy, if your list has not reached capacity, please add my name to the list for this growing project.

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    1. Medencia,
      I would love to add your name to my list, do you think the seeds would grow in Serbia? What is your growing season like?

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  42. I would love to have a few of these seeds! I love growing heirloom vegetables and keeping the seeds to regrow them each year. Thanks!

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  48. Hello,
    I would like to order some of the ancient squash seeds
    Would you please let me know when you could send, & the cost ?
    Thank you,
    Zvika

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  49. I would be interested to know if these squash have a resilience to squash bugs. If so I would like to be on the list.

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    1. Jeremy,
      So far I haven’t had an issue with squash bugs on my plants however not sure any squash is totally resilient!

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      1. I just read about these seeds today, and would be very honored to be able to grow some. I would be happy to pay for them. I only need a few. Thank you!

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