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Southeastern Indigenous Peoples Garden
April – October 2024
in the Charlotte Brody Discovery Garden
Duke Gardens grows on the lands of several Indigenous Nations. These peoples have and continue to nurture and celebrate their lands in ways that provide home, shelter, and sustenance in harmony with the plants and animals also living here.
This garden display highlights a selection of plants that have significance and importance to Indigenous peoples of this land, including citizens of the three Cherokee Nations. These collaborations are part of an effort to repair relationships with the peoples, plants, and community harmed by ongoing colonization.
Seeds shared by the Cherokee Nation and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and partnerships with Duke University’s Native American / Indigenous Student Alliance, Native American Studies Initiative, and Campus Farm were integral in the creation of this garden honoring Southeastern Indigenous peoples’ plants.
What plant stories or foods are important to you?
Can you find plants growing in this garden that are important to your family or culture?
Plants in the Garden
Seeds shared by the Cherokee Nation and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians:
Cherokee Tan Pumpkin (from plants grown by the Duke Campus Farm)
Seminole Pumpkin (from plants grown by the Duke Campus Farm)
Cherokee Buzzard Beans
Cherokee Yellow Flour Corn
Native Tobacco
Job's Tears
Purple Hyacinth Bean
Additional seeds:
Georgia Candy Roaster Squash from Baker Creek Heiloom Seeds
Dutch Fork Pumpkin from Sow True Seed
Dipper Gourd from Native Seed Search
Bushel Gourd from Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
Turkey Craw Pole Beans from Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
Cherokee Long Greasy Bean from Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
Cherokee Trail of Tears Beans from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
Cherokee White Flour Corn from Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
Glass Gem Corn from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
Job's Tears from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
Learn More & Connect:
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation
Triangle Native American Society
Native American Studies Initiative at Duke
Native American / Indigenous Student Alliance at Duke
Indigenous Land Relationships in the Carolinas: An Interactive Audio Tour and Long-Form Audio Documentaries
