Three Sisters (aren't really sisters)

The Three Sisters are actually three vegetables: corn, beans, and squash. Although this is very common amongst all Native American cultures, it’s said to have been started in the the Haudenosaunee (hah-dee-no-show-nee), or "People of the Long house". There is a lot of history and folklore surrounding this cultural idea. What’s really cool is the Native Americans don’t use plowing, but rely on the mother nature to care for the growth and development of the crops. Because all three seeds are planted together, this makes the soil even more fertile and many insects resist ruining the crop. This is why the plant is so successful in growing strong as well as the belief that each sister cares for their seed.
“-sisters who would never be apart from one another- sisters who should be planted together, eaten together and celebrated together.” -Gary Gangnier

“In late spring, we plant the corn and beans and squash. They're not just plants- we call them the three sisters. We plant them together, three kinds of seeds in one hole. They want to be together with each other, just as we Indians want to be together with each other. So long as the three sisters are with us we know we will never starve. The Creator sends them to us each year. We celebrate them now. We thank Him for the gift He gives us today and every day.”
- Chief Louis Farmer (Onondaga)


Sources:

http://ddl.nmsu.edu/kids/webquests/wqthreesisters_k.html

http://www.cqsb.qc.ca/svs/434/fn3sis.htm

http://books.google.com/books?id=4TNTbLYvufgC&pg=PA70&lpg=PA70&dq=Onondaga+three+sisters++folklore&source=bl&ots=GM1r3-eNP6&sig=dVT1JPBPYHQOyXoS50IRRDXPFSk&hl=en&ei=8gmvSaCKD8yJngf28OW2Bg&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=4&ct=result#PPA70,M1