The Native American Network in Bartlesville tapped into ancient agricultural techniques to carry on indigenous traditions at the Phillips 66 Research Center in Oklahoma.<\/p>\n\n
Members of the Employee Resource Group planted a small garden in the spring outside the Research Center using seeds of corn, beans and squash — a trifecta known as the Three Sisters that is at the center of Native American agriculture and cuisine.<\/p>\n\n
“It’s become a conversation starter,” said NAN member and Phillips 66 Knowledge Center Supervisor Laura Allen-Ward. “Having those conversations creates a common interest and is the starting point of talking about inclusion, diversity and cultural awareness.”<\/p>\n\n
When planted together, a technique known as companion planting, the three crops help one another grow. The corn provides stability for the vines from the beans, while the beans pull down nitrogen to help the squash grow. The large leaves from the squash provide shade for the roots.<\/p>\n\t\t