The Nuu-chah-nulth and other First Nations of coastal British Columbia used to
maintain gardens of indigenous plants with edible roots on their estuarine tidal flats.
Tasty and nutritious, these roots were carefully tended and nurtured to enhance their
productivity and quality. Within the last century, the Nuu-chah-nulth diet has changed
significantly, and these indigenous root vegetables are not as well known. This
community-based action research project (The λ’aayaʕas Project) was suggested by
members of the Nuu-chah-nulth communities of Clayoquot Sound, as a way of
maintaining and strengthening traditional knowledge, cultural identity and ultimately,
community health and well-being through renewal of awareness of these and other
traditional foods. The λ’aayaʕas project engaged students and community members of all
ages in a diverse range of activities aimed at revitalizing the knowledge, skills and
cultural practices involved in caring for traditional root gardens. These activities have
included: hosting community steam-pit cooking events; learning from knowledgeable
community members; re-creating a root garden in the community of Ahousaht; and
implementing and observing the results of traditional management techniques on a root
garden plot at the Atleo River estuary. This thesis documents the development of this
community action research project and examines the role of ecocultural restoration
projects in providing opportunities to strengthen and facilitate the connection of youth to
their land and culture through experiential learning. Discussions incorporate a summary
of feedback and reflections on the project, and of the revitalization of traditional
iv
knowledge and practices locally, globally and in the future. In closing, I draw together
thoughts and ideas from local community members and others who recognize and hope to
revitalize the inextricable relationships between cultural and ecological health and
diversity.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:uvic.ca/oai:dspace.library.uvic.ca:1828/1216 |
| Date | 01 October 2008 |
| Creators | Pukonen, Jennifer C. |
| Contributors | Turner, Nancy J., Atleo, Richard |
| Source Sets | University of Victoria |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | Available to the World Wide Web |
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