Botanical from Nunavik
THRIVING IN THE NORTH
Plants and Inuit, a cultural relation and identity
The significant of plants in Inuit life has been underestimated; on the contrary, they are essential to their health and in the preservation of their cultural identity. What would we know of fireweed (Chamerion latifolium; paunnaq), alpine bistort (Bistorta vivipara; tursaq) or oxytrope (Oxytropis spp.; airaq) if not for the Northern peoples who educated us on their uses and benefits? In other words, who are the Inuit without these berries (and other plants) that define and to which they devote a boundless passion?
The tundra has many valuable plants and Inuit knew how to recognize, name and used them. It was wrong to presume that the Inuit people abbey to a strictly animal diet. Among the plants used, we find fuel, technology (baskets, mattresses, wicks, etc.), food and medicine (teas are a part of it).
Among the problems that they can heal, we find intestinal diseases and stomach pain, skin problems, respiratory and infectious diseases. The plants of Nunavik grapple with a rigorous climate (cold, wind, sustained sunlight); the same weapons as they made to face play a protective role for the wellbeing of all. Health!
Cloudberry/bakeapple
Cloudberry is the fruit of choice for the Inuit. However, the old leaves are one of the best known teas for the Nunavimmiut (Inuit of
Crowberry
Small creeping plant riddled with linear leaves, the Inuit harvested the juicy black crowberry berries in the fall. This plant is placed in the blueberry
Ground Juniper
Creeping conifer, the Ground Juniper is a member of the Cupressaceae family (just like white cedar). Its needles stems and berries are used for the
Northern Labrador tea
Very close relative of the Labrador Tea, which is better known and distributed, the small Labrador Tea grows further north. True tea of the shrub
Labrador Tea
Shrub of our boreal forests, Labrador Tea is a part of the blueberry family (Ericaceae). It is known and appreciated by the First Nations and