Bear Island Flint
Bear Island Chippewa, Bear Island Flint
(Flint) Bear Island Flint is a traditional corn of the Chippewa (Ojibwe, Ojibwa, Saulteaux). It is a short season flint corn that came from one of the Leach Lake islands. Our original source, WI BA J on Seed Savers, notes that, “The Chippewa in Northern Minnesota and Temagami First Nation of Ontario are two probable original sources/islands and belong to the same cultural people group, the Anishinaabe. Regardless of its exact source, it is one of the northernmost growing corns and matures in 85-90 days”. The Anishnaabeg peoples are known to have historically grown corn to its most northern regions, having grown crops 100 miles north of Winnipeg. They were know to grow corn on islands, where the temperatures are regulated by the water, and the ecosystems make predation on the crops unlikely. Bear Island corn contains 11.73% protein. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (WI BA J)
Days to Maturity: 85-90 days