The Vision of Handsome Lake and the Three Sisters

In 1779, Seneca Chief Handsome Lake had a vision involving the spirits of the Three Sisters—corn, beans, and squash. This vision inspired him to preserve and teach the traditional agricultural practices of the Haudenosaunee. The Three Sisters' symbiotic relationship offers solutions to modern farming challenges, such as soil degradation and excessive fertilizer use. By adopting regenerative agriculture, we can create sustainable food systems while honoring traditional knowledge.

What event led Handsome Lake to have a transformative vision?

• A dream about future technology

• A peaceful negotiation with the US military

• A vision during a fall evening in 1779

• A successful harvest season

Who did Handsome Lake encounter in his vision?

• The spirits of the four winds

• The spirits of his ancestors

• The spirits of the forest animals

• The spirits of the Three Sisters: corn, beans, and squash

How does the bean plant benefit the corn in the Three Sisters planting method?

• By providing shade

• By fixing nitrogen in the soil

• By repelling pests

• By attracting pollinators

What role does squash play in the Three Sisters planting method?

• It provides a trellis for beans

• It shades the soil and retains moisture

• It fixes nitrogen in the soil

• It attracts pollinators

Why did Handsome Lake decide to stay and teach his community about the Three Sisters?

• To introduce a new farming technique

• To preserve the millennia-old knowledge and tradition

• To build a new village

• To start a new religion

What is one major issue caused by monocropping in modern agriculture?

• Increased biodiversity

• Reduced water usage

• Depletion of soil nutrients

• Improved soil health

How can planting beans reduce the need for fertilizers?

• By increasing water retention

• By attracting pollinators

• By fixing nitrogen in the soil

• By providing shade

What percentage of the world's water is used by current industrial farming practices?

• 90%

• 30%

• 50%

• 70%

What is regenerative agriculture?

• A practice that depletes soil nutrients

• A technique for increasing pesticide use

• A practice that recognizes nature as a dynamic, interconnected system

• A method of monocropping

What is the main benefit of incorporating low-lying cover crops like squash?

• They require more fertilizers

• They reduce crop diversity

• They increase soil's water-holding capacity

• They attract more pests