A Snuneymuxw ethnobotany guide grounded in Indigenous knowledge and deep ancestral connection to the land.
Plant Teachings from My Auntie is a richly illustrated compendium of culturally significant wild foods and herbal remedies found within the traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation. This powerful work serves as a rare treasure for those seeking to foster cultural understanding and ecological responsibility while deepening a commitment to meaningful reconciliation. Central to these teachings is the fundamental protocol of honoring gifts from the land by gathering and preparing them in ways that respect history, spirituality, and Indigenous knowledge.
Through the guidance of Snuneymuxw Elder and Knowledge Keeper Geraldine Manson (C’tasi:a), readers are introduced to Snu’y’ulh—teachings handed down through generations, specifically those passed to her by her “Auntie Ellen,” Dr. Ellen White. From the sacred Western Red Cedar, known as the “tree of life,” to detailed descriptions of 65 different species, this guide bridges ancestral wisdom with practical botanical identification.