The life-giving, death-dealing power of corn
Maize fed ancient civilisations, then wiped out 100,000 American Southerners. What went wrong? | Christmas Specials
Stay updated with breaking news from Cherokee White Eagle. Get real-time updates on events, politics, business, and more. Visit us for reliable news and exclusive interviews.
Maize fed ancient civilisations, then wiped out 100,000 American Southerners. What went wrong? | Christmas Specials
The seed keeper: Kirsten Kirby Shoote is helping keep Indigenous crops alive, including the Cherokee White Eagle corn, which survived the Trail of Tears. I first meet Kirsten Kirby Shoote on the shores of Lake Michigan on a warm, sunny day. Her hands are closed around something, silhouetted against the waves. As she gently unwraps her fingers, I see that it's a corn cob — crimson and yellow, colors dancing in the gleaming sunlight. She hands the little seeds to me. "I'm trusting you with these ancestors, to plant them when they're ready," she says. "You'll know when they're ready." ...