(jointly with
Bill McMillan)
Nancy Turner presented an account of the early, indeed the ancient, history of the aboriginal societies of BC, through the medium of plants and their various uses as food and medicine as well as their legendary meanings. She chose the family ericaceae (to which the genus rhododendron belongs) to illustrate the richness of her subject.
The Arbutus – ‘naked tree’ holds special significance. As a medicine, its leaves were chewed to ward off colds, to quench thirst and to instill energy, and to act as a contraceptive (though the latter use may not attract interest from many of our Society members). It is revered in historical fable: at the time of the Great Flood, the Tsartlip people tied their canoes to the arbutus trees at the top of Mount Newton and survived, therefore its wood is not to be burned. Its berries are strung in necklaces and though unpalatable, are edible and attractive to food-providing birds.
Kinnikinnik is widely occurring. Its leaves were dried and smoked in pipes of jade and soapstone. Its berries were fried in deer fat and fish oil to make dumplings to be stored for winter food. It found utility as a treatment for urinary infections and as a blood tonic.
The ubiquitous Salal was especially valuable. Its delicious, juicy berries are easily picked and broadly employed in cookery. Processed on hot rocks with skunk cabbage and dried in cakes, it was suited for overwintering and for trade purposes. Its leaves were used as we would employ Bay, as a seasoning in pit cooking.
Western Teaberry is a relative of salal. Perhaps the most luscious of all plant foods are some 16 species of Huckleberries (vaccinium) which was vital to the early peoples. Burning was often employed to promote the huckleberry bush abundance.
The list lengthens: Cranberry from sphagnum bogs; Creeping Snowberry that tastes like wintergreen and used in ‘aroma therapy’ as a protection for pregnant women; Lingonberries from the Queen Charlottes (famous in Scandinavia); Labrador Tea – Ledum – found in swamps (go easy on the number of leaves and avoid deleterious effects from long boiling).
And then the tales and admonitions: “Never eat berries while picking” – an ironbound rule promulgated by the Kwakiutl; ‘Fools’ huckleberries associated with death; and a Goat’s basket of huckleberries was once thrown away, whereupon the ‘Elder Mountain Goat’ married the ‘Grandmother’ with the resultant offspring resembling a splendid animal, and by some natural logic, the huckleberry plant was guaranteed fertility and fecundity was conferred upon the nation. (Though this latter account may be garbled as a result of audience laughter interfering with your reporter’s note-taking, you may be assured that the folklore is rich and vital).
And much more. Nancy Turner kept her listeners enthralled throughout: her mastery of the subject is undoubted and her manner of presentation was as a conversation among friends. The experience was delightful.