Aboriginal Plant Use in Canada's Northwest Boreal Forest

In addition to gathering botanical data, the original field research also gathered information on ritual uses of plants, the naming and classification of plants in the indigenous languages, beliefs regarding plants, and attitudes toward development of plant sources. * Biology Digest *

This handbook describes the traditional uses by aboriginal people ofmore than 200 different plants from Canada's boreal forest. It isthe result of original ethnobotanical fieldwork in 29 communitiesacross the boreal forest region of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.Natural resources of the boreal forest have always been essential tothe dietary, medical, economic, and spiritual well-being of FirstNations people, but until now much of their traditional environmentalknowledge has remained unrecorded and at risk of being lost. To compile this book the authors, along with seven other FirstNation trainees, five Metis trainees, and four other botany students,learned how to collect voucher plant specimens and record traditionalknowledge about the use of plants for medicine, handicrafts,technology, and ritual practices. Over 100 elders contributedinformation that they felt should be shared among communities. The entries and accompanying photographs are arranged according tothe plant family and include information on physical descriptions,habitat, uses for food, technology, medicine, and potential economicuse. The book also includes an explanation of the research approach, aliterature review, and an overview of the ecological and culturalbackground of the area.