Native Uses of Herbs will be offered this summer as an interactivecourse by the Indiana University Northwestdepartmentof anthropology. Students willparticipate in lectures that include discussions of edible, medicinal andsacred uses of plants used by Native Americans. An emphasis will be placedon traditional women’s knowledge in the culture of local tribes. They willalso get hands-on experience in identifying and preparing plants. 

Patsy Clark, herbalist, environmentalist and artisan, will facilitatethe 3-day course on May 20, June 3 and June 17 at her herb farm, the BittersweetFarm in Rochester, Indiana. Transportation from the IU Northwest campuswill be provided.

Clark, who is part Shawnee, will guide students in the native uses ofherbs, a skill she learned very early in life. 
Under the guidance of her grandmother, Clark was able to identify 40edible and medicinal plants by the age of five. She has taught classesat IU Northwest, IUSouth Bend, and St. Mary’s College. 

For more information on the class or the department of anthropology,telephone Dr. Robert Mucci at 219-980-6607.