Passing The Seeds:
A Seed Rematriation Story
Published by Rematriation on April 1, 2022
As told by Kahehtoktha Janice Brant to Rachel A. R. Porter in Winter 2020
Written by Rachel A. R. Porter; Produced by Rachel A. R. Porter and Afton P. Lewis
“I have a story to share with you about a Seed Rematriation ceremony and a wampum belt that was made to mark that special occasion.”
-Kahehtoktha Janice Brant
Image Description: Tyendinaga youth hands hold Kanenhohestonh, the Passing of the Seeds wampum belt. Photo Credit: Kahehtoktha
Meet Kahehtoktha Janice Brant:
Kahehtoktha Janice Brant is a Tyendinaga Mohawk artist, teacher, historian, gardener, cook and seedkeeper. Kahehtoktha is a co-founder of the Kenhte:ke Seed Sanctuary and Learning Centre (KSSLC).
Sewakwe:kon, watkwanonweraton.
Kahehtoktha niyonkyats. Wakhskere:wake ni:I.
Kenhteke nitiwake:non tahnon Kenhte:ke kenake:re.
Kanyen’keha:ka niwakhwentsyo:ten Kateweyensta ne Kanyen’keha.
My Kanyen’kéhaka name is Kahehtoktha which means “she goes the length of the garden” or “she makes a great effort in the garden.”
Listen to Kahehtoktha introduce herself and share the story of the Passing of the Seeds wampum belt and a Seed Rematriation ceremony in her own words:
Ratinenhayén:thos is the name of the non-profit that supports the Kenhté:ke Seed Sanctuary & Learning Centre. Ratinenhayén:thos means, “they are farmers of the seeds.” Image Description: Aerial view of the Kenhté:ke Seed Sanctuary & Learning Centre. Photo Credit: Steve Mongeau
The Kenhte:ke Seed Sanctuary is home to a 45 year old heirloom seed collection that for the last 20 years was cared for exclusively by the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul in Kingston, ON. In 2017, Kahehtoktha Janice Brant and Ratinenhayén:thos participated in a Seed Rematriation ceremony with the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul in April 2019. The ceremony and a wampum belt woven for the occasion honored a promise made by the Kenhte:ke Seed Sanctuary and the Kingston Area Seed System Innovation (KASSI) to become the new caretakers for the collection. The Passing of the Seeds wampum belt was woven to record their shared commitment to the seeds and the wellbeing of future generations.
The Kenhte:ke Seed Sanctuary is home to a 45 year old heirloom seed collection that for the last 20 years was cared for exclusively by the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul in Kingston, ON. In 2017, Kahehtoktha Janice Brant and Ratinenhayén:thos participated in a Seed Rematriation ceremony with the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul in April 2019. The ceremony and a wampum belt woven for the occasion honored a promise made by the Kenhte:ke Seed Sanctuary and the Kingston Area Seed System Innovation (KASSI) to become the new caretakers for the collection. The Passing of the Seeds wampum belt was woven to record their shared commitment to the seeds and the wellbeing of future generations.
“These Seeds needed a home. […] We began a community consultation process.”
-Kahehtoktha Janice Brant
Listen to Kahehoktha Janice Brant describe the community-led process that ultimately resulted in the formation of the Kenhte:ke Seed Sanctuary & Learning Centre and a Seed Rematriation - a passing on of heirloom and Indigenous seeds, many of which returned home to their original Haudenosaunee caretakers.
Documenting growth and life at the Kenhté:ke Seed Sanctuary & Learning Centre. Photo Credit: Kenhté:ke Seed Sanctuary & Learning Centre
“Very quickly our conversation began to find some common ground. They (the Sisters) had a spiritual connection to the seeds and the seed collection. We also had a spiritual connection.”
-Kahehtoktha Janice Brant
Listen to Kahehoktha Janice Brant explain the meaning behind the Seed Rematriation Ceremony, the process for creating the Passing of the Seeds wampum belt and the relationship that Ratinenhayén:thos developed with the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul and the Kingston Area Seed System Innovation (KASSI).
A picture of the Passing of the Seeds wampum belt with traditional medicines. Photo Credit: Kenhté:ke Seed Sanctuary & Learning Centre.
The Passing of the Seeds wampum belt depicts two human forms with arms stretched out to the edge of the belt. This signifies that others can join in the seed rematriation process at any time. A line of seeds connects two human figures on either side of the belt. A couple of seeds fall between the human figures and are seen dropping into a small mound below. This reminds the seed caretakers that passing on and sharing the seeds is only part of their responsibility. They must also care for the skills, knowledge, cosmology, songs and recipes that accompany them.
Finding a Home for the Seeds: A Timeline
March 2017
- A 45 year old heirloom seed collection is in need of a new home.
- Tyendinaga community members hear about the seeds and begin community discussions about whether or not Tyendinaga is the right home for the seeds.
April – September 2017
- A newly formed Tyendinaga community group called Ratinenhayén:thos (which means “they are farmers of seeds”) builds relationships with the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul and the Kingston Area Seed System Innovation (KASSI).
October 2017
- Tyendinaga delegation travels to the Sisters of Providence in Kingston, ON to inquire about the seed collection.
Winter/Spring/Summer 2018
- Ratinenhayén:thos leads fundraising and outreach for the creation of a seed sanctuary.
Fall 2018
- Kenhté:ke Seed Sanctuary & Learning Center is established and Ratinenhayén:thos is incorporated as a non-profit.
Fall 2019
- Kenhté:ke Seed Sanctuary & Learning Center volunteers plant the first garlic bulbs from the collection at Kenhté:ke Seed Sanctuary.
April 2019
- A Seed Rematriation Ceremony takes place along with a reading of the Passing of the Seeds wampum belt.
“These seeds have been together for many, many years […]they were a family […] they should continue to be taken care of together.”
-Kahehtoktha Janice Brant
“In a seed sanctuary, I think what is really significant is that it is alive and that the seeds are not held like captivity like in a seed bank. […] They are grown out by human hands year after year.”
-Kahehtoktha Janice Brant
On April 23, 2022, the Kenhte:ke Seed Sanctuary & Learning Centre hosted the 3rd annual celebration of the Seed Rematriation from the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul. The celebration included a reading of the Passing of the Seeds wampum belt.
Learn more about the Kenhté:ke Seed Sanctuary by listening to the Aunties Dandelion podcast with Kahetoktha Janice Brant!
The story of the Passing of the Seeds wampum belt is also told in the 2019 short film Rematriate: Passing the Seeds directed by Kanyen’keha Director Shelby Lisk of Tyendinaga.
