A Snuneymuxw ethnobotany guide grounded in Indigenous knowledge and deep ancestral connection to the land.
Plant Teachings from My Auntie is a richly illustrated compendium of culturally significant wild foods and herbal remedies found within the traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation. This powerful work serves as a rare treasure for those seeking to foster cultural understanding and ecological responsibility while deepening a commitment to meaningful reconciliation. Central to these teachings is the fundamental protocol of honoring gifts from the land by gathering and preparing them in ways that respect history, spirituality, and Indigenous knowledge.
Through the guidance of Snuneymuxw Elder and Knowledge Keeper Geraldine Manson (C’tasi:a), readers are introduced to Snu’y’ulh—teachings handed down through generations, specifically those passed to her by her “Auntie Ellen,” Dr. Ellen White. From the sacred Western Red Cedar, known as the “tree of life,” to detailed descriptions of 65 different species, this guide bridges ancestral wisdom with practical botanical identification.
Who This Book is For
- Educators and Students: Those looking for authentic Indigenous perspectives on science and cultural botany.
- Herbalists and Foragers: Individuals seeking respectful, land-based teachings on wild foods and herbal healing.
- Ethnobotany Enthusiasts: Readers in the Pacific Northwest (including Washington and Oregon) interested in the relationship between people and plants.
- Advocates for Reconciliation: Anyone looking to deepen their understanding of Indigenous protocols and traditional land stewardship.
What You'll Learn
- Plant Identification: Recognize culturally significant species using botanical, English, and Hul’q’umi’num names.
- Traditional Uses: Understand how plants are used for medicine, textiles, nourishment, and ceremony.
- Sustainable Harvesting: Master tips for respectful and ethical gathering that honors the species and the land.
- Preparation Techniques: Learn responsible methods for turning plants into healing recipes and useful materials.
- Cultural Protocols: Grasp the spiritual significance and ancestral stories connected to local flora.
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What Makes This Book Unique
This resource is anchored by an authoritative Indigenous voice; C’tasi:a Geraldine Manson is a respected Elder, Matriarch, and Knowledge Keeper of the Snuneymuxw First Nation, bringing decades of lived experience in cultural preservation. Complementing this is the academic excellence of co-author Nancy J. Turner, a world-renowned ethnobotanist with over 50 years of experience collaborating with First Nations cultural specialists.
Unlike standard field guides, this book offers profound spiritual depth, emphasizing Hul’q’umi’num’ protocols and explains the sacred, reciprocal relationship between the harvester and the “Community of Trees.” To ensure practical application, it provides exceptional visual clarity, featuring 130 high-quality color photographs that assist with accurate plant identification within their native habitats.
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Table of Contents
Recognitions
Dedication
Plant Use, Protection, and PreservationIntroduction
Locations of Plants Cited Within this Book
Plant Walks
Plants and their Uses
Plants Used for Tools
Working with Cedar Tree Parts
Plants Used as Food, Clothing, Making Netting, or as Thread
Plants Connected to Ceremony – Spiritual
Recipes Using Plants
Community of Trees
Cedar Tree
Invasive Plants in Native Plant Habitats
Stories, Connection, and Spirituality of Plants
Photos from Sites Visited within Snuneymuxw Lands
Kwulasulwut Garden Welcome Figure
Gabriola Island Museum – Snuneymuxw Plant Trail
Morrell Nature Sanctuary and its Plants
Hul’q’umi’num Plant and Tree NamesIndex: English and Scientific Plant Names within the book
Photos Credited
About the Authors
References Cited
