Summer Harvest: Cedar Teachings
In the lush forests of the Pacific Northwest, the cedar tree stands tall, revered by Indigenous communities for its abundant gifts and sacred teachings. Grandmother Cedar is a sacred and revered tree in Indigenous cultures, weaving its presence through various aspects of life. When the dogwoods bloom, it is time to journey to cedar groves and harvest the inner bark of the Western Red Cedar. By honoring and preserving this ancient tradition, we ensure the continuation of cultural knowledge, environmental stewardship, and the profound wisdom embedded within the teachings of cedar.
For many Indigenous communities, including the Puyallup Tribe, the art of cedar harvesting is a sacred practice rooted in deep respect and reciprocity. The Puyallup Tribal Culture Department plays an essential role in preserving and sharing traditional knowledge surrounding the uses and harvesting of cedar, ensuring its cultural and ecological sustainability. In an article from Indian Country Today, Connie McCloud shared, “Our reservation has become so urbanized and we lost so much property with the coming of the treaties. Our traditional territories are shared, here we’re on state property. So this is the first time we’re harvesting on our ancestral lands for a very, very long time. And for many of the families and individuals, this is the first time that they’ve been able to traditionally follow our culture and help our community pick those practices back up.” These opportunities for harvesting and storytelling provide healing and connection for our tribal communities.
Before engaging in cedar harvesting, Indigenous communities hold a deep reverence for the tree and express gratitude for its gifts. Giving thanks to Cedar is an integral part of the harvesting process, reflecting a reciprocal relationship with the natural world. This practice serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of all living beings and the responsibility to protect and honor Grandmother Cedar in return for all of the gifts she shares.
Grandmother Cedar bestows many gifts. She holds a special place in traditional medicine, renowned for its numerous healing properties. The tree's leaves, bark, and inner wood are utilized to create remedies that address various ailments. Cedar is known for its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and analgesic properties, making it valuable in treating respiratory conditions, skin ailments, and muscle pains (Reference 2). Cedar's versatility extends beyond medicine, with numerous cultural applications deeply ingrained in Indigenous traditions. The pliable bark of cedar trees serves as a valuable material for creating clothing, baskets, and traditional regalia. The wood is essential in crafting canoes, longhouses, and intricately designed bentwood boxes used for cooking and storage (Reference 3). Grandmother Cedar is a bearer of life through these many gifts.
Grandmother Cedar holds profound teachings that extend beyond its physical uses. She embodies healing and relationality, emphasizing the importance of maintaining balance and harmony within oneself and with others. Cedar reminds us to approach healing holistically, nurturing our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. She teaches us to cherish and care for our relationships with the natural world, fostering a sense of responsibility and stewardship.
Grandmother Cedar, a central figure in many Indigenous stories and legends, personifies the wisdom and nurturing nature of the cedar tree. These stories offer profound teachings about the interconnectedness of all life and the vital role that Cedar plays in supporting and healing Indigenous communities. To delve deeper into these traditional stories and gain further insight, you can explore the resources provided by the Cedar Box curriculum, available through OSPI. You can also use the link below:
https://www.healthynativeyouth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Cedar-Box-Teaching-Toolkit.pdf
Cedar, our revered grandmother, faces significant challenges due to climate change. According to a study conducted by Ruckelshaus et al. (2019), rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events can impact the growth, health, and abundance of western red cedar trees. Changes in temperature and precipitation regimes can affect the availability of water, which is crucial for cedar tree survival. The decline of salmon in our rivers, also affects the cedar tree, in a reciprocal effect. The decline or stress of cedar trees can have cascading effects on salmon habitats, as these trees provide shade and stabilize stream banks, regulating water temperature and maintaining suitable conditions for salmon spawning and rearing. The nitrogen that salmon provide the trees through their decaying bodies is in short supply as the population of salmon diminish. Thus, the vulnerability of western red cedar to climate change highlights the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the potential consequences for salmon populations.
References:
Natasha Brennan. (2021). Puyallup tribal citizens returned to their ancestral lands for the first time in years to harvest sacred cedar bark. Retrieved from [https://ictnews.org/news/harvesting-sacred-cedar].
Bouchard, R., & Kennedy, D. (1994). Elders' teachings on the medicinal uses of plants. Canadian Journal of Native Studies, 14(2), 255-271.
Boyd, R. (2018). Living in the Woods in a Tree: Remembering Blaze Foley. University of North Texas Press.
Ruckelshaus, M., et al. (2019). Climate Change Impacts on Western Red Cedar. Washington State's Integrated Climate Response Strategy. Retrieved from https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-to-know-us/News/2019/May-30-2019-Climate-change-impacts-on-Western-Red-Cedar
