During the Allotment & Assimilation Era (1887-1930) the U.S. government moved to assimilate Native peoples into American society and the economy. Private land ownership was forced onto Indigenous peoples by breaking apart communal lands into family parcels, effectively altering relationships to land and food. In many cases, Native peoples were forced to shift from subsistence lifestyles and traditional forms of trade to growing food as a commodity. This commodity-based approach to food was and continues to be in conflict with traditional relationships, knowledge, and practices related to growing food.

Topics covered in this episode:


Min 1:30: Meet Eric Hemenway

Min 2:30: Introduction to the Allotment & Assimilation Era 

Min 4:22: Division of land

Min 6:10: The Burt Lake Burnout

Min 9:58: Shiloh’s scorched corn and fish cakes

Min 16:31: Convoluted allotment in northern Michigan

Min 20:51: Impacts of allotment on the Odawa community

Min 25:29: Debunking stereotypes



Spirit Plate is part of the Whetstone Radio Collective. Learn more about this episode of Spirit Plate at www.whetstoneradio.com, on IG and Twitter at @whetstoneradio, and YouTube at /WhetstoneRadio.

Guest: Eric Hemenway