Heather O’Watch emphasizes that gathering tinp’si’na, also known as wild turnip in the Nakoda language, during June is a time for passing down traditions and knowledge to loved ones. She, along with her younger sibling Kenny Sheperd-O’Watch, engages in the harvest, a tradition she originally shared with her father, Woodrow O’Watch, who acquired the skill from his grandparents during his childhood. Reflecting on the continuity of this practice over five decades, she finds it remarkable to still be foraging alongside her family.
The discovery of wild turnips piqued O’Watch’s interest during a visit to South Dakota in 2018, where abundant harvests prompted her to inquire about them from her father. Hailing from Okanese First Nation in Saskatchewan, approximately 120 kilometers northeast of Regina, O’Watch highlights the versatile nature of wild turnips, citing their utility in cooking, bartering, and sharing within communities.
Historically, First Nations in Saskatchewan engaged in trading wild turnips with Ukrainian settlers and even guided them to locate these plants, ensuring a vital food source during harsh times on the prairies. O’Watch describes tinp’si’na as seasonal flora, noting their peak readiness for harvesting in late June when they reach their largest size. These plants tend to thrive on hills and in coulees, standing out with their distinctive purple hue, with the edible part typically buried about 6 inches underground.
Despite the introduction of invasive species in the region, O’Watch expresses surprise at the resilience of wild turnips, emphasizing their enduring presence in untouched areas. She admires the plant’s tenacity, symbolizing the resilience of First Nations people amid changing surroundings.
Similarly, Jim Red Eagle, from Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation, shares O’Watch’s enthusiasm for wild turnip harvesting, a tradition he upholds with his family in South Dakota. Learning the art of harvesting tinp’si’na from his grandparents in his youth, Red Eagle highlights June as a significant month, known as “Tinp’si’na Itkáȟča Wi” in Nakoda and Lakota languages, signifying the flowering or seeding stage of wild turnips.
Red Eagle draws parallels between the taste of wild turnips and mushrooms, utilizing them in culinary creations like soup and pemmican. Beyond their culinary value, he underscores the medicinal properties of tinp’si’na, rich in vitamins C and K, and beneficial for digestive health. Passing down ancestral knowledge of wild turnips as medicine, Red Eagle imparts these teachings to his daughters during their harvesting outings.
Emphasizing the importance of family bonding and cultural connection, O’Watch describes wild turnip harvesting as a fulfilling activity that fosters a deeper connection to the land and heritage. She underscores the practicality of this traditional practice, highlighting the potential survival value of knowing how to locate and utilize tinp’si’na in emergency situations. O’Watch expresses her commitment to annual turnip harvesting with loved ones, viewing it as a mission to preserve this tradition.