1. Tree of Life in Northwest First Nations Culture FNST 101 Ryan Campbell
Western Red-Cedar
Tree of Life in Northwest First Nations Culture
FNST 101
Ryan Campbell

2. Into the Past Glaciers covered most of Canada
Humans present from 11,500 years ago
Cedar began to disperse into region at the same time

3. A Way of Life Coastal Salish origin:
“There was a real good man who was always helping others. Whenever they needed, he gave; when they wanted, he gave them food and clothing. When the Great Spirit saw this, he said, ‘That man has done his work; when he dies and where he is buried, a cedar tree will grow and be useful to the people – the roots for baskets, the bark for clothing, the wood for shelter.’” Bertha Peters to Wally Henry

4. Western Red-Cedar Distribution
Limited to Pacific Northwest Coast
Coastal First Nations have long history with cedar

5. A Multitude of Uses

6. A Multitude of Uses

7. Red-Cedar Bark Bark was stripped off. Beaten until the bark separated.
Bend but not broken
Planks “wedged” free from logs.

8. Thoughts for the Future