Abstract

Today when we think of forested areas, often what comes to mind are the very different perspectives of loggers and environmentalists. It is hard to imagine what our Carrier ancestors thought of the trees. We know these large plants played an important role in subsistence and survival because that is still recognized today. Pine trees supplied 'Chundoo-hhee' in the spring, a sweet treat that could be dried and re-hydrated, or eaten fresh. Carrier 'chiclets' came from Spruce trees. The red pitch also served medicinal and adhesive purposes. Cooling baskets-the all important multi-use vessels were made from bark. The tools that were used for stripping the trees were carefully passed along as family heirlooms. Often made from Caribou antler, they were artfully decorated with circles, dots, and short lines. My Carrier ancestors adopted a pragmatic approach to the forested areas, combining the perspectives of loggers and environmentalists. They had a cultural reverence for the forest and were able to harvest its products but preserve nature in all its beauty.