Introduction

SAYUYAY SISTER GARDEN INRODUCTION

The word sayuyay means, "medicine of the plant people" in the Twana language of the Skokomish Indian Nation.  
In the year 2000 the original sayuyay Garden was built on the Skokomish Reservation.  The garden was intended to educate both the Skokomish community and the Evergreen State College community about medicinal plants both native to the northwest and those introduced from other regions.
The garden is built in a raised bed formation, with four main beds facing each of the four directions.  Each bed contains plants that are useful for specific body systems.  In the center are four benches facing inward, meant to be a gathering place for reflection and sharing. At the very center of the garden  is a replica of a Western Red Cedar trunk that serves as a bed for ceremonial plants.
UNDERSTANDING THE TWO  SAYUYAY GARDENS
sayuyay garden:  This is the completed and original garden built on subiyay Bruce Miller's property on the Skokomish Reservation in Shelton, WA.
sayuyay sister garden: The sister garden has not been built yet.  It will be located on the Evergren State College Campus, and serve as a link between the original garden and TESC.  
Below is an excerpt written by Marja Eloheimo, adjunct faculty member of TESC and co-founder of the original sayuyay Garden:

History of the sayuyay Sister Garden 


In 1998, a medicinal area was established in the Longhouse Ethnobotanical Garden after the late Skokomish elder, subiyay Bruce Miller, suggested including medicinally-important non-native plant species.  This varied from the habitat-oriented native species

present elsewhere.  The location north of the Longhouse was selected as a result of its size, relative flatness, and exposure to sun.  Afterdiscussing the idea with Tina Kuckkahn and Facilities, an informal series of beds were built.  Then, during the fall of 1999, students in “Ethnobotany Grows in the Garden” proposed improving the beds.  A group composed of Adam Rawson, several

students, the work-study gardener and [Marja Eloheimo] met throughout the quarter to discuss concepts and designs. For his fall project, Adam Rawson, who was a professional Landscape Designer, facilitated these discussions and developed a blueprint proposing a very attractive design.  This design was shown to Tina Kuckkahn, Michel George (Director of Facilities at the time), and Bruce Miller, all of whom liked it.  Bruce Miller stated that it looks like the dogwood design employed in Skokomish basket weaving.  Adam Rawson further refined the design to accommodate wheelchair accessibility, studied issues of slope, drainage and grading, and located sources of materials.  


Finally, in May of 2000, a proposal was presented to and accepted by the CLUC for a permanent raised medicinal plant bed.  However, after substantial funding, interest and support became available through the Northwest Applied Indian to build this medicinal circle garden on the Bruce Miller’s property on the Skokomish Indian Reservation, the attention shifted. The sayuyay Garden (sayuyay means “Medicine of the Plant People” in the Twana language of the Skokomish Indian Nation) was established and gradually surrounded by a variety of theme and habitat gardens. Collectively, this demonstration garden came to be known as the “Gifts of the First People” Plant Project. 


Accomplishments ›
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