Harvesting season is here in Southern Alberta. Harvesting season for Indigenous people in Canada varies by region and culture from hunting, fishing, trapping and gathering wild plant & berries.
CJWE talks with Cultural Coordinator, Alanna Manybears from the Aboriginal Friendship Centre in Calgary about the importance of harvesting season for the Siksika people, she says “Back in history, harvesting was crucial to get prepared for the winter months by picking berries, chokecherries, and more. Some of these plants are part of our indigenous heritage for health reasons”.
The berries were used to help women during their menstrual cycle by cleaning out the intestines, arthritis, and more. Also chokecherries are also used to prepare a bison harvest.
Chokecherries are small, astringent, dark red-purple-black berries from North American shrub or small tree, used for food, medicine, and wildlife support.
CJWE talks with Cultural Coordinator, Alanna Manybears from the Aboriginal Friendship Centre in Calgary:
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