The Land

Traditional uses:
Saplings were used to make pole hands for harpoons, leisters and gaff hooks, in the construction of fishing platforms, fish-roasting and smoking racks and as poles for raised food caches.

Common Uses:
Douglas-fir is used for building and construction due to its strength, and it is one of the finest timbers for heavy structural purposes, including glulam beams and roof trusses.

Ucwalmícwts:
srapl7úl - Click to Listen

Traditional uses:
Rotten hemlock wood was used as fuel for smoking and tanning buckskin.

Common uses:
Western hemlock is used for general construction, roof decking and plywood, as well as for laminating stock and the production of glue-laminated and solid beams.

Ucwalmícwts:
p̓út̓tnaoz̓ - Click to Listen

Traditional uses:
This beautiful conifer has many uses as a traditional medicine, emergency food, and in bushcraft. It’s also an important plant for wildlife who rely on it for food and shelter.

Common uses:
Due to its high strength-to-weight ratio, it is used in structural products throughout residential and commercial construction. High-grade amabilis fir is often used for interior applications.

Ucwalmícwts:
mvlínlhep - Click to Listen

The tree of life.

Traditional uses:
Boughs were used in first salmon ceremony.

Common uses:
Western red cedar is a resilient and versatile species that can be used in a wide variety of exterior and interior building applications. It is one of the most valuable conifers owing to the unique colour, texture and durability of its wood.

Ucwalmícwts:
tsátawaoz̓ - Click to Listen

Traditional uses:
Various food uses.

Common uses:
It is used as lumber in structural framing, composite boards, and high-quality joinery.
Lodgepole pine is a highly adaptable tree and is one of the first species to come back after a wildfire.

Ucwalmícwts:
qweqwelítaoz̓ - Click to Listen

Traditional uses:
Seeds and inner bark of the ponderosa pine were traditionally eaten. It is also used for making dugout canoes, and the pitch is used for waterproofing moccasins and other items. It can also be mixed with bear grease to make an ointment for sores and inflamed eyes.

Common uses:
The wood is straight-grained, nonporous with a fine and uniform texture, and yellow to pale reddish-brown in colour.
Ponderosa pine is used for light and medium construction and a variety of exterior and interior products.

Ucwalmícwts:
s7áplhqwaz̓ - Click to Listen
(Northern St̓át̓imcets language)