Imperiled Ecosystems in a Shifting Climate
2016 Atlantic White Cedar Symposium
May 24-26, 2016

Hotel 1620, 180 Water St., Plymouth, MA

American Indian Insights on Atlantic White Cedar

Cassius Spears, Senior, Narragansett Tribal Councilman and
Jan Salick, PhD, Senior Curator of Ethnobotany, Missouri Botanical Garden

Abstract

To American Indians of the Atlantic coast, the Atlantic White Cedar has been and continues to be essentially useful, as well as an icon of nature and spirit. Uses are medicinal, construction, fuel, hydrological, environmental and spiritual. AtlanticWhite Cedar is fundamental to traditional landuse as inspirationally demonstrated by the “Narragansett Tribal Food Sovereignty Initiative” with its demonstration farm and anticipated museum dedicated to tribal history and culture. The farm is surrounded by Atlantic White Cedar swamp that provides medicines, construction materials for traditional shelters and boats, hydrology, soil enrichment and wildlife habitat. Moreover, the new Narragansett Health Care facility is constructed of Atlantic White Cedar providing a spiritual and symbolic connection to health, as well as a powerful manifestation of beauty.

Keywords
Narragansett, ethnobotany, swamp, tribal history

Bios

Jan Salick is a Senior Curator of Ethnobotany at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, Missouri. She received a PhD, Ecology and Systematics, Cornell University in 1983; M.S., from Duke University in 1977; and B.A., from University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1972.

Cassius Spears, Sr. Tribal Councilman of the Narragansett Tribal Council, Charlestown, RI.