In the northern forests of the American Midwest grows a plant unlike any other plant native to this continent. Its bulbs used to be harvested for winter food stores by the Indians, and its leaves were added to food for superior nutrition and taste. It’s in the onion family. In Europe, it’s called the wild Leek. Here it’s name, in the Algonquin language, is Zhigagowan. A certain city takes its name from this, for it stands on one of the former Indian gathering grounds – Chicago.
We came back from suckerfish camp, had a day of rest and organizing in our wigwams, and then once again packed up our sleeping bags, tarps, tools, and food, and hit the trail. Our destination lay ten miles away, down trails and forest roads – our Leek-gathering grounds. The goal is to camp there (here, actually, as I am writing from our new forest camp), and do a few days of intensive gathering.
The walk was pretty nice (we sent our gear by car!). A passing thunderstorm found us resting at the edge of a lake, and so we threw up a tarp lean-to and contently waited it out. We saw the forest change from one kind to another, and another…Spring! Spring everywhere! Unfolding leaves, singing birds, gushing creeks. We arrived sometime in the afternoon, and spent a few mealtimes scouting the area, to understand the extent and maturation of the Leek patch, and to find a flat spot for a campsite.
Turns out there are lots and lots of Leeks ready to gift themselves to us. As the evening dark descended, we finished putting up our lean-to, gathered boughs to sleep on, and kindled a fire. All hands were busy with camp prep work. We cooked and ate, while talking about plans for the harvest and working out interpersonal issues in a circle format. The next day we got to it. By early afternoon we had gathered so much that the person who came for the pick-up told us to stop! Our support circle can only process so much at once! As far as the processing goes, Leeks can be blanched and frozen, or ripped up and dried. I don’t think we’ll be doing much processing ourselves. So that’s it for Leek Camp so far!
As for myself, I’ve been immersed in this experience for over a Moon now. More and more I realize how fulfilling this lifeway is for me. Not all my needs are met here, but that’s OK. The relationships, the crafts, the inner healing work, all bring many gifts. More and more, as I sit and talk with him, my inner child is finding a home.
Alex