FIRST NATIONS-- 13 MOONS
CENQOLEW - THE DOG SALMON RETURN TO EARTH (September)
The Dog Salmon return to the Earth Moon at this time. The colours are Dog Salmon (ochre red). The men are returning the bones of the salmon to the sea, with thanks, in the belief that the bones will come to life and replenish the salmon stocks. The man raises his oar to show honour and respect to our relative, the salmon, who helps us survive.
CONNECTIONS AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION
September derives its name from the Latin word 'septem', meaning seven. This was the seventh month in the Roman calendar when the year began in March. This moon marks the arrival of the Dog Salmon.
WEATHER
The rainy weather continues and the winds have become unpredicatable. The creeks and rivers rise enough for the Dog Salmon to spawn.
ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES
Hunting for deer and groups was still ongoing. This was also the best season and weather conditions for cod fishing. Dog Salmon were the last of the salmon runs to return and the Saanich Peoples carried out this fishery at Goldstream. Dog Salmon was easily dried or smoked and was the last of the preserves to be stored away. The Langford area was excellent for cranberries, blueberries and grouse hunting.
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
If the salmon run was late, the SNAM (spiritual leader or priest) was brought in to hold a ceremony to call the salmon. The SNAM would also advise the family captains of the correct protocol to adopt so that they would not offend the Salmon Peoples and thus ensure that the salmon returned to the rivers.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT
NATURE (Victoria Natural History Society & Swan Lake)
Some things to watch/listen for:
• Field Crickets singing: the frequency of their song depends on how warm they are!
• Fungi popping up everywhere after the first fall rain.
• Shorebirds pass through on their way south, but many of the ducks stop and stay for the winter.
• Few native flowers are blooming: asters typically are all that are still showy, but the shrubs and trees are loaded with fruit that birds will enjoy for months.
• Turkey Vultures start to fly in groups, called “kettling”, in preparation for their trip southward. They are easily mistaken for eagles because they are large.
GARRY OAK
September
Job(s): Clear out grasses around established shrubs, add mulch (and water if they are looking drought stressed)
Number of "student workers": 4-6
Time anticipated to complete: 1-2 h+
POLLINATOR PARTNERSHIP
September
Bee Watch/Support: 1. final bee/pollinator monitoring for 2018 2. if interested, seeding/planting with SNPs
Job(s): (? not sure what this part means).
Number of "student workers": 4 (monitoring), possible whole class if you want to be involved in restoration
Time anticipated to complete: 2-3 hrs if just pollinator monitoring. 3-4? extra if helping with the seeding/planting
*September-Oct is a great time to seed native plants for pollinators! in Sept, bumble queens will be mating and hibernating for the year, keep an eye out for this. Some native solitary bees are still are still active in sept-oct
COURTYARD GARDEN
September
Planting Season #3: September Planting for November to June Harvest
Plant in September
Harvest
Spacing
Notes
CENQOLEW - THE DOG SALMON RETURN TO EARTH (September)
The Dog Salmon return to the Earth Moon at this time. The colours are Dog Salmon (ochre red). The men are returning the bones of the salmon to the sea, with thanks, in the belief that the bones will come to life and replenish the salmon stocks. The man raises his oar to show honour and respect to our relative, the salmon, who helps us survive.
CONNECTIONS AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION
September derives its name from the Latin word 'septem', meaning seven. This was the seventh month in the Roman calendar when the year began in March. This moon marks the arrival of the Dog Salmon.
WEATHER
The rainy weather continues and the winds have become unpredicatable. The creeks and rivers rise enough for the Dog Salmon to spawn.
ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES
Hunting for deer and groups was still ongoing. This was also the best season and weather conditions for cod fishing. Dog Salmon were the last of the salmon runs to return and the Saanich Peoples carried out this fishery at Goldstream. Dog Salmon was easily dried or smoked and was the last of the preserves to be stored away. The Langford area was excellent for cranberries, blueberries and grouse hunting.
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
If the salmon run was late, the SNAM (spiritual leader or priest) was brought in to hold a ceremony to call the salmon. The SNAM would also advise the family captains of the correct protocol to adopt so that they would not offend the Salmon Peoples and thus ensure that the salmon returned to the rivers.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT
- This is a time for preserving foods. Do you preserve or can any foods in your family?
- What Fall celebrations do other cultures celebrate?
- The Saanich People give their salmon bones back to the sea in thanks. How do you give thanks in the fall?
- With reference to the water cycle and personal observations of rivers and creeks, discuss the effects of rising water levels in creeks and rivers on communities.
- If possible, go to a local river, like Goldstream Park and see the Salmon spawning.
- What is the lifecycle of the salmon?
NATURE (Victoria Natural History Society & Swan Lake)
Some things to watch/listen for:
• Field Crickets singing: the frequency of their song depends on how warm they are!
• Fungi popping up everywhere after the first fall rain.
• Shorebirds pass through on their way south, but many of the ducks stop and stay for the winter.
• Few native flowers are blooming: asters typically are all that are still showy, but the shrubs and trees are loaded with fruit that birds will enjoy for months.
• Turkey Vultures start to fly in groups, called “kettling”, in preparation for their trip southward. They are easily mistaken for eagles because they are large.
- 16th International Day for Preservation of the Ozone
- 21st International Day of Peace
- 22nd World Car Free Day
GARRY OAK
September
Job(s): Clear out grasses around established shrubs, add mulch (and water if they are looking drought stressed)
Number of "student workers": 4-6
Time anticipated to complete: 1-2 h+
POLLINATOR PARTNERSHIP
September
Bee Watch/Support: 1. final bee/pollinator monitoring for 2018 2. if interested, seeding/planting with SNPs
Job(s): (? not sure what this part means).
Number of "student workers": 4 (monitoring), possible whole class if you want to be involved in restoration
Time anticipated to complete: 2-3 hrs if just pollinator monitoring. 3-4? extra if helping with the seeding/planting
*September-Oct is a great time to seed native plants for pollinators! in Sept, bumble queens will be mating and hibernating for the year, keep an eye out for this. Some native solitary bees are still are still active in sept-oct
COURTYARD GARDEN
September
- Direct sow (early Sept) or transplant vegetables in planting season #3
- Harvest available food
- Soil care
- Before planting add either or both of:
- Nutrient dense compost
- Organic fertilizer
- Before planting add either or both of:
Planting Season #3: September Planting for November to June Harvest
Plant in September
Harvest
Spacing
Notes
|
Radish
Nov 20cm Fastest vegetable to mature – as quick as 50 days Pull and eat before it gets woody Leaves, flowers and seed pods are also edible – toss into stir fries or mix in salads Mesclun Greens Nov-Apr 20cm Can plant seeds as close as 3cm for baby greens Harvest an inch from the ground and allow to regrow Arugula Nov-Apr 20cm Can plant seeds as close as 3cm for baby greens Harvest an inch from the ground and allow to regrow Flowers also edible Pac Choi/Choi Sum Nov-Apr 20cm Can plant seeds as close as 3cm for baby greens Harvest an inch from the ground and allow to regrow Flowers also edible Spinach Nov-Apr 30cm More likely to survive through winter if covered Harvest lower leaves or harvest all leaves an inch from ground and allow to regrow |
Cilantro
Oct-Dec 20cm More likely to survive through winter if covered Harvest lower leaves or harvest all leaves an inch from ground and allow to regrow Lettuce Nov-Dec 30cm More likely to survive through winter if covered Harvest lower leaves or harvest all leaves an inch from ground and allow to regrow Can plant seeds as close as 3cm for baby greens Select winter hardy lettuce varietals for best results Kale Nov-Nov 45cm Can plant kale from March-Sept Will grow and can be harvested all through the year Field peas n/a 15cm Cover crop – pull and compost in spring Clover n/a 15cm Cover crop – pull and compost in spring Fava Beans May-June 15cm Cover crop - can leave to produce edible beans or pull and compost in spring |