Victoria AdolphusFor centuries, the prevailing narrative has been that Indigenous peoples in British Columbia did not use or steward the land. However, a groundbreaking study led by Simon Fraser University’s Chelsey Geralda Armstrong is challenging this misconception. By decoding the DNA of the beaked hazelnut, a native plant that thrives in British Columbia, Armstrong’s team has revealed that Indigenous peoples in the region cultivated and traded the plant 7,000 years ago.
Challenging Settler-Colonial Narratives
The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), challenges the widespread misconception that Indigenous peoples did not use or steward the land. Armstrong notes that this narrative has been used to justify colonialism and the displacement of Indigenous peoples from their ancestral lands.
Indigenous Knowledge Inspires Genetic Research
Armstrong’s research was inspired by oral traditions that told of how ancient humans cultivated beaked hazelnut. The plant was a valuable source of nutrition, medicine, and other essential resources. Armstrong worked with Indigenous Elders and knowledge-holders to understand the intertwined histories of people and plants.
Genes Point to Trade and Plant Transplantation
The study found that the genetic profile of the hazelnut aligned with the knowledge passed down for generations. The team discovered similarities in Indigenous languages that indicate the beaked hazelnut was a versatile commodity that was traded and shared among different communities. The genetic analysis also revealed that people were actively transplanting and cultivating hazelnuts hundreds of kilometers from their place of origin.
Reconnecting with Indigenous Science
Armstrong’s research highlights the importance of reconnecting with Indigenous science and traditional knowledge. By recognizing the expertise and ingenuity of Indigenous peoples, we can learn from their sustainable practices and work towards a more equitable and environmentally conscious future.
References
Armstrong, C. G., et al. (2024). Ancient hazelnut cultivation and trade in western North America. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
Image Credits
- Large, rounded beaked hazelnuts associated with the Shuswap region, growing at the ancestral village of Gitsaex in Laxyuumb Gitselasu, northwestern BC. Credit: Simon Fraser University
- Gitselasu members, Roxanne Riddler and Patsy Drummond, in a Gitselasu forest garden characterized by cultivated hazel stands. Credit: Simon Fraser University
