On August 12, 2024, Pennie Vance of the Powder River Basin Resource Council (PRBRC) announced that Randall and Linwood Tall Bull will return to the Sheridan Food Forest to share more knowledge about the Northern Cheyenne’s native plants.

The public is cordially invited to attend the Traditional foods of the Northern Cheyenne, use of native plants and botany Event at the Sheridan Food Forest on August 29th at 5:30pm.

Linwood Tall Bull and his son Randall Tall Bull, members of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe and teachers at Chief Dull Knife College, will share stories and traditional uses of native plants in the Food Forest’s Medicinal Garden. Everyone is welcome.

The Northern Cheyenne Medicinal Garden in the Sheridan Food Forest is an ethnobotanical garden that bridges cultural differences by giving visitors the opportunity to learn about native plants and their stories. The medicinal plant garden brings cultures together, promotes understanding and educates visitors about plants native to the region.

Northern Cheyenne elder, ethnobotanist, and cultural preservationist Linwood Tall Bull, whose Cheyenne name Ho’neh’eso means “young wolf,” has worked with tribal health and senior programs for over 30 years as director of the Shoulder Blade Independent Living Center. Linwood has taught hospital doctors how to diagnose Native American patients using Native American Sign Language. He is an active member of an ancient warrior society that preserves traditional culture and beliefs. He teaches ethnobotany and other cultural courses at Chief Dull Knife College in Lame Deer, Montana.

Randall James Tall Bull, whose Cheyenne name H’aest’ohena’hane means “Many Skills,” is a skilled artisan of traditional tools, weapons, and ancient skills. He teaches the summer ethnobotany course at Chief Dull Knife College. Randall continues the teachings of his father, Linwood Tall Bull, and grandfather, William Tall Bull. He also collects artifacts for the Buffalo Trunk, a practical teaching tool used in schools to educate Native Americans on the importance of the buffalo.

This event is made possible by the Sheridan Food Forest, Piney Island Native Plants, Powder River Basin Resource Council, and Bighorn Native Plant Society. All plants in the Northern Cheyenne Medicinal Garden are grown by Piney Island Native Plants. The Medicinal Garden was designed and planted by Piney Island Conservation Services.

The Sheridan Food Forest volunteer community developed the Food Forest and provides the necessary labor for its maintenance, growth, and support during educational events. The Food Forest is located in Thorne Rider Park near the trail.

For more information, contact Pennie Vance, Powder River Basin Resource Council, at 307-672-5809 or visit www.powderriverbasin.org.