Are your products authentically Native American?
Yes. Colleen Cordell is a member of the Sisseton Wahpeton/Sioux Tribe and the great-great-great-granddaughter of Sioux Chief Little Crow. The knowledge, traditions, and practices behind Colleen’s Gardens have been passed down through her family for generations. We take great pride in offering authentic, high-quality products that honor our culture and traditions.
How are your traditional herbs harvested?
Every herb sold through Colleen’s Gardens is personally hand-harvested by Colleen using knowledge and practices passed down through her family. She harvests with respect for the land, taking only what is needed and leaving enough for the plants and land to continue producing.
What traditional herbs and plants do you offer?
We offer a variety of traditional herbs and botanicals, including sweetgrass, cedar, sage, bear root, bitterroot, kinnikinnick, copal, and other traditional plants. Because many of our herbs are gathered naturally and seasonally, availability may vary throughout the year.
What is Bear Root traditionally used for?
Bear Root has been valued for generations within Native communities and has traditional cultural and spiritual uses. Practices and teachings surrounding Bear Root can vary among families, communities, and Tribal Nations.
Do you carry herbs and supplies for smudging?
Yes. We offer a variety of traditional herbs used for smudging, prayer, cleansing, and other cultural and spiritual practices. Our selection includes sweetgrass, cedar, sage, and other traditional plants.
Do you sell more than herbs?
Yes. Colleen’s Gardens is more than an herb shop. In addition to traditional herbs and botanicals, we carry authentic Native-made goods, including dream catchers, medicine bags, pipe bags, beadwork, and other traditional items.
Are your products handmade?
Many of the items available through Colleen’s Gardens are handcrafted by Native artisans. Each piece reflects the skill, time, and traditions involved in creating Native-made goods.
Why are some herbs only available at certain times?
Many of our herbs grow naturally and are harvested seasonally. Colleen follows the practice of taking only what is needed and leaving enough for the plants and land to continue producing. Because of this, certain herbs may be available only in limited quantities or during particular times of the year.
What makes Colleen’s Gardens different?
Colleen’s Gardens is rooted in family, place, and practice. The knowledge Colleen uses to identify, gather, and prepare traditional plants was passed down through her family and has remained part of her life for more than five decades. That knowledge continues to guide how our herbs are harvested and how we share our products with others today.