Among those gifts is the cedar tree. While walking through rain forest the other day, we walked by what we call “culturally modified trees.” A rather odd way to describe harvesting practices that prevent one from taking more than is needed and considering the future generations and their needs. Our industrial pillaging economy modifies much more dramatically and destructively. The practice still today among our Coast Salish peoples is, pray, pull and peel. All parts of the tree are used, roots, branches and bark. The cedar strips make for very practical and beautiful baskets also used for cooking. It is used for waterproof and ceremonial clothing, for rope and for fishing nets. While walking in the undergrowth one can well imagine generations of people quietly moving about the forest floor, harvesting in the sacred rhythms of ancestors.
Maybe a new generation of school children could respectfully ask the elders in our indigenous communities what they might be taught about the creator and her intricate and abundant creation.