Native Plants
Sword Fern
sθχeləm̓
Sword Ferns are less common in Steveston due to landscaping and construction but used to be very common. The rhizomes or roots were harvested in the early spring or late fall as a food source. The rhizomes were served with salmon eggs, or ground into a flour that could be used to make dough for food similar to bread.
Nootka Rose
qel’qulhp
The Nootka Rose is native throughout western North America. The First Peoples used its leaves, roots and bark to create body wash. Other hygenic uses include infusing the roots of the Nootka Rose to create eye wash. The outer shell of the rose hips the Nootka Rose produced were used in dishes. The shells were mixed with salmon roe. The rose hips can be used to make jelly, syrup and tea rich in Vitamin C.
Douglas Fir
c̓sey̓əɬp
Douglas Firs are large trees, ranging from 70-90 metre tall, that were used by First Nations in many ways. Upriver, Halq’eméylem speaking First Peoples used the wood and pitch from the Douglas Fir for caulking and firewood. In Steveston, the Douglas Fir wood was used for fishing harpoons. The scales of the cones are said to resemble mice.
Red Cedar
χpey̓əɬp
The Red Cedar to considered to be the most important plant to the Musqueam and Coast Salish peoples. The trees were used in most constructed structures such as canoes and longhouses due to its rot resistant properties. The bark of Red Cedars were harvested for weaving. The bark was used in mats, baskets, and blankets.
Dull Oregon Grape
səniʔəɬp
Oregon Grape is native to British Columbia and is commonly found in Red Cedar or Douglas fir forests, making them accessible to First Peoples. The berries of the Oregon Grape were eaten and often mixed with sweeter berries as they are sour. The roots of the plant were ground by many First Nations to create dye.
Traditional Medicine
Sword Fern
Sword fern leaves was used to relieve sore throats. They were often chewed like gum.
Nootka Rose
The bark of the Nootka Rose was boiled to create a medicine to ease childbirth pains.
Red Cedar
Red Cedar foliage was mixed with oil to aid rheumatism, inflammation, and cough. Smaller limbs of the Cedar was boiled to create an aid for tuberculosis.
Dull Oregon Grape
The roots were boiled and then the decoction was used to aid rheumatism, joint pain, and sexually transmitted diseases.