Sochan Gathering: A Cherokee Tradition

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Forest Resource Specialist and tribal member Tommy Cabe points to the “turkey foot” portion of the sochan plant, which is harvested and eaten after being blanched and fried.

Smokies Life

From Ancestral Lands to the Table: The Sochan Gathering Program

In our fast-paced world, the connection between food and its origin is often forgotten. Many of us have never experienced the act of harvesting the very plants that nourish us. The Cherokee people, however, offer a beautiful exception. Their tradition of gathering edible plants, particularly sochan, throughout the southern Appalachians, is a living testament to their deep respect for the land.

What is Sochan?
Sochan, also known as green-headed coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata), is a member of the sunflower family that thrives in sunny, moist areas of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This versatile plant can be found throughout much of the United States, from the Southeast and Northeast to the Midwest and parts of the Rockies.Standing tall with stalks reaching up to eight feet, sochan often grows in clusters near streams. Its distinctive leaves, with three lobes resembling a turkey's foot, make it easily identifiable. But sochan's significance goes beyond its appearance. The edible shoots and leaves boast a delicious celery-like flavor with a surprising nutritional punch, comparable to spinach and kale.

 

A Cultural Treasure

For the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), harvesting sochan in the spring isn't just about acquiring food. It's a cultural cornerstone deeply rooted in their history. Their ancestral homelands once spanned eight eastern states, encompassing much of what is now Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Today, the EBCI reside in the Qualla Boundary, bordering the park's southwestern edge in North Carolina. Unfortunately, development has significantly reduced the abundance of sochan within their current territory. Additionally, not everyone has the space for a backyard garden to cultivate this valuable plant themselves.

The EBCI are descendants of a resilient group who remained after the forced removal of indigenous people known as the Trail of Tears in the 1830s. For millennia before European settlers arrived, Cherokee people have gathered plants on these lands using traditional methods like hand-picking, passing their knowledge down through generations. Gathering sochan was a cherished experience, a time for families to reconnect with the land and each other, and a way to revitalize after the long winter. However, until 2019, they were prohibited from harvesting sochan within the park boundaries.

 

Figure 2. Early spring leaves of a sochan plant (photo courtesy of David Cozzo), a harvest bag, a harvest bag with sochan leaves.

Photo by David Cozzo

A Partnership for the Future
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is committed to honoring Cherokee traditions while protecting the park's resources. Through a collaborative effort, the park now issues up to 50 permits each season to EBCI members for harvesting sochan between March and June. This program is made possible by a National Park Service (NPS) rule: "Gathering of Certain Plants or Plant Parts by Federally Recognized Indian Tribes for Traditional Purposes" (36 CFR 2.6). As of 2022, only five other parks within the NPS have implemented similar programs, but the potential for wider adoption is promising.

This science-based agreement fosters the continuation of these long-held Indigenous harvesting practices while providing the NPS with valuable data. By monitoring the effects of harvesting on sochan populations, this program can inform future agreements and ensure the sustainability of this precious plant. Notably, so far, no negative impacts on sochan growth have been observed.

The next time you explore the Smokies, take a moment to consider the generations of Cherokee people who called this land home long before it became a protected area. Respect not only the beauty and recreational opportunities the park offers, but also its role in sustaining these deep cultural connections and providing nourishment for generations to come.

Sharing the Park with Cherokee Tradition
As you explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you may encounter Cherokee people exercising their cultural right to harvest Sochan. These individuals will be easily identifiable by their orange gathering bags, issued with permits. The Sochan Gathering Program allows the EBCI to reconnect with their ancestral lands and continue a tradition that nourishes both their bodies and their spirits.

How You Can Help
When you see Cherokee people gathering Sochan, please be respectful of their cultural practice by giving them space. This is a sacred practice and your mindfulness contributes to preserving their tradition.By being mindful, you can help ensure the continuation of this important tradition for generations to come.

Want to Learn More?
Listen to the Smoky Signal podcast episode featuring Tommy Cabe, the Forest Resource Specialist for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, for a firsthand perspective on this program.

Read more about Sochan Gathering through the Smokes LIVE blog.