Chippewa National Forest Iskigamizigan Camp

By: Marcie Gotchie

First Chippewa National Forest Sugar Bush Camp.

Saturday, April 1 was a beautiful sunny day for the first ever Chippewa National Forest Iskigamizigan (Sugar Bush). The camp was held at the McAvity Bay boat landing, on Lake Winnibigoshish. Community members from across the Reservation and staff from the Chippewa National Forest were able to feast on bizhiki (buffalo) and zaazasagokwan (fry bread) and sample zhiiwaagamizigan (maple syrup) as well as learn and see everything about the maple syruping process, sample some delicious food, and enjoy great conversation in the Iskigmizigan (Sugar Bush).

Aninaatig (maple tree) produces sap in the Spring that is used to make zhiiwaagamizigan (maple syrup) and ziinizibaakwad (maple sugar). Ojibwe people refer to this time as the iskigamiige-giizis (Sugar Moon). It takes at least 40 gallons of sap to create one gallon of maple syrup. As we visited with community members that have their own camps it was acknowledged that this can vary depending on the equipment used while processing. Although the sap wasn’t flowing as well as we expected we still ended up with 10 gallons of sap to demonstrate the process!

Community members and Forest service staff located a few maples close to the road to demonstrate the tapping of the tree. Tapping the tree on the south side is considered one of the best for sap production as well as tapping the tree immediately below a branch to collect the most sap. While these are generally agreed ways to collect more sap, it can vary and its ultimately be up to the tree to decide how much sap to share.  We can say by discussions that were held this too can vary, it all depends on what the tree wants to do. When the trees were tapped, children and adults were given the opportunity to offer asemaa (tobacco), giving thanks to the trees for the food they provide.

As we got the fire going, we gathered around it and discussed the type of woods that are used and the need to keep the fire going during the boiling process. As the sap began to boil down it was then transferred into a smaller pot and simmered until it became zhiiwaagamizigan (maple syrup). Community members and Forest Service staff got to stir the sap as it began to thicken as it boiled down.    

Ten gallons of sap produced about three 12-ounce jars of zhiiwagamizigan (maple syrup) that day and these were gifted to community members.

If you missed it this year, please know we hope to continue this fun educational opportunity in the future. Our appreciation to the Chippewa National Forest Heritage staff for leading the event and the many volunteers who made it possible.

Miigwech!