| While digging for the sqigwts (water potato) it is not uncommon for an elder to remind those gathered why they are continuing this tradition. "We dig today for all those who couldn’t make it down here today, the elders and children; take these roots and give it to them."
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Digging for the Sqigwts - the Water Potato. Students from the Coeur d'Alene Tribal School and the University of Idaho join together in the mud along the shore of Chatcolet Lake (southern end of Lake Coeur d'Alene) to dig the water potato, on the annual Water Potato Day. Comments by Perry Kitt. (recorded and edited by Rodney Frey, October 26, 2001)
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 | | Flowering of the Water Potato, June 1998 |
Among the many roots gathered by the Schitsu’umsh, the sqigwts or commonly called, "water potato" (botanical name: Sagittaria latifolia), along with camas (Camassia quamash) and bitterroot (Lewisia rediviva), continue to hold tremendous value for the people. In June the delicate white-flowered, large arrow-leafed water potato can be easily seen along the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene and Hayden Lake. In the fall, any signs of the plant have vanished, only to be discovered six to ten inches down in the mud. With shovels in hand, prayer is first offered to the Creator, asking permission to dig the roots and for a blessing for those who now dig and who later consume the "gifts." Then under the guidance and direction of elders, the digging commences. It's hard work, but laughter and good conversation augment the hours of effort. Once gathered, the water potato is prepared "like a regular potato" - baked or boiled, with its tail left on it. In the tail is "all the flavor."
Not long after, in a community-wide celebration, the Schitsu’umsh families gather and partake in a fall root feast, followed later in the evening with the song and dance of a powwow. The water potato is served along with dried elk and deer meat, perhaps baked salmon, salads of all kinds, and cake and fruit pie for dessert.
© Coeur d'Alene Tribe 2002
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