Starting a new July 1 tradition -- part 1 -- plants

We decided that this year for July 1 we would go explore the territory we live in and learn something about the land.  Sadly, the entire family had their second vaccination the day before, and all 3 kids were not in any shape to get out of bed.  Leo and I however, were feeling fine with just a bit of a sore arm.  So, off we went just the two of us.

The plan was to go explore the parts of the West Castle River and the Castle River Falls.  Google directions to get to Caslte Mountain Ski Hill and stop along the highway about 10 minutes before you arrive.  Hope out, enjoy the view and head toward the river.

You are in the traditional territory of the Piikani Nation, members of the Blackfoot Confederacy. 

We walked through the forest for part of our adventure and I had fun taking pictures of flowers that I wanted to look up and identify later.  I'm trying to learn more names of plants.

 Some names I can easily pull to mind: yarrow, wild rose and maybe a blanket flower (looks like cross between daisy and sunflower).

 

 

 And now for a whole bunch I'm gonna need to spend some time investigating.

 

 

I've also noticing moss and lichen more and more after starting to read Robin Wall Kimmerer's book "Gathering Moss."

Another thing I am wanting to do is learn that names of local plants in the indigenous languages of the territory.  So for this trip, that means the blackfoot language.  I went out to find some resources on-line and came across this.

galileo.org/kainai/plant-index/

 

Go to this page to watch a short video where a knowledge keeper talks about one use for Yarrow.

Áóhtoksóoki 

galileo.org/kainai/common-yarrow/ 

 

Want to learn about wild strawberries? 

Ootsistsíín

galileo.org/kainai/wild-strawberry/