Luschiim's Plants: Traditional Indigenous Foods, Materials and Medicines

Respected Cowichan Tribe Elder and botanical expert, Luschiim Arvid Charlie, began his education in early childhood, learning from his great grandparents and others of their generation.Luschiim's Plantsrepresents his dedication to the survival of the Hulquminum language and traditional knowledge of plants for future generations. From the healing properties ofqaanlhp(arbutus) to the many practical applications ofq'am(bull kelp), the information presented in this remarkable guide shares knowledge of plants that Luschiim is familiar with through his own Elders' teachings and by way of direct experience over the course of his lifetime, and compiled from field outings and interviews with notable ethnobiologist and botanist Nancy J. Turner.

In this unprecedented collection of botanical information, over 140 plants are categorized within their broad botanical groupings: algae and seaweeds, lichens, fungi and mushrooms, mosses and liverworts, ferns and fern-allies, coniferous trees, deciduous trees, shrubs and vines, and herbaceous flowering plants. Each entry is illustrated with a colour photo and includes the plant's common, scientific and Hulquminum names; a short description; where to find it; and cultural knowledge related to the plant. Additional notes encompass plant use, safety and conservation; the linguistic writing system used for Hulquminum plant names; as well as miscellaneous notes from interviews with Luschiim.

This volume is an important addition to the bookshelves of botanists, and will fascinate anyone with an interest in plants of the West Coast and their traditional uses by Coast Salish peoples. (From Harbour Publishing)

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Luschiim Arvid Charlie was born inQuamichanin 1942 and lives in the Duncan, B.C. area. He began learning about plants from Elders at a young age, and has dedicated his lifeto learning about the natural world andsharing traditional knowledge. In 2007, he received an honorary doctorate of letters degree from Malaspina University-College for his work in protecting the environment, teaching Coast Salish culture and preserving the Hul'q'umi'num' language.

Nancy J. Turner is an award-winning ethnobotanist and professor emerita with the University of Victoria. She has authored, co-authored or co-edited over 30 books, many of which are collaborationswith Indigenous communities to document and preserve traditional knowledge around plants, foods, materials and medicines. She has been adopted intoHaida, Kwakwaka'wakw, Songhees and Nisga'a families.