Progress 09/15/20 to 09/14/23
Outputs
Target Audience:During the reporting period, September 2022- September 2023, the Traditional Plants and Foods Program (TPFP) served Northwest Indian College (NWIC) main campus (Lummi) and NWIC (6) six extended campus sites (Muckleshoot, Nisqually, Nez Perce, Port Gamble, Swinomish and Tulalip) Students, Staff and Community Members.As well as Native American/Alaskan Native community members, which includes Tribal members (youth to elder) of Lummi Nation and other surrounding Coast Salish Tribes. Changes/Problems:We almost lost (4) fruit trees and alot of garden plants due to the invasion of tent caterpillars,The catipillars ate all the leaves and devoured some of the branches. For almost two months, TPFC/youth went outside (monday to friday)for an hour or two andphysically removedthe all the caterpillars. This was helping the situationbecome under control. Some of the fruit trees that I thought were not going to survive did a complete turn around after lots of nurturing (removing caterpillars) and love (watering) survived and started to produce apples. This year, the trees did not produce a lot of apples because most of them were eaten/destroyed by tent caterpillars, so this year we were unable to host the Apple Sauce/ Apple butter making class. Another problem was the uprising of positive cases with COVID-19. Lummi Council developed a safety plan, with various risk levels that everyone had to follow. At first it was extremely difficult to offer TPF workshops, however we used that time to go and gather and process plants/foods for future use. The time was also used to research/create/update educational handouts. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?TPFC/IFC traveled to Grand Mound, WA to attend and present at the ALSTA conference on Traditional Foods (Stinging Nettle.) Presentation included information on how to identify, gather and process the plant into a food and make a vinegar to add on salads, in soups, as well as on body for skin treatment. After the presentation participants were allowed to sample some Peppy Nettle tea w/herbal infused honey and try some Nettle salve which is great to treat skin irritations and helpsheal cuts/scrapes. TPFC/IFC attended (2) Basket Weaving conferences (No Frills & Weavers Teaching Weavers). Staff collected Continuing Education Units and answered questions in regards to NWIC Coop Extension/TPFP. TPFP collaborated with local Lummi Youth Programs and offered (6) TPF workshops. (4) NWIC students, (5) NWIC staff, (21) CM & (16) youth participated in various workshops (harvest plants foods at Portage, Infusing Plants, fileting salmon, etc.) How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Northwest Indian College Cooperative Extension Traditional Plants and Foods Program posted information about TPF workshops that were offered on NWIC website (events calender), Social Media (Facebook), and fliers posted throughout NWIC campus and (tribal) community. TPFC sent a flier and information to the NWIC Public Relations Officer, who then created a weekly calenders that contain events and meetings that are offered by NWIC programs, clubs, programs. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
1.1 Northwest Indian College (NWIC) Cooperative Extension (CE) Traditional Plants/Food Coordinator (TPFC) and Indigneous Foods Coordinator (IFC), (4) landscapers, (1) TPF asst., (2) student interns planted a variety of(traditional) plants and foods ( ex. nodding onion, dead stinging nettle, marshmellow,(red & white/pink)yarrow, corn, pumpkin, pole beans, Indian Bandaid, mullien, calendula, St. John wort, chives, lavender, cat nip, spearmint, peppermint) in the CE garden(s.) A majority of these plants easily self-seed in place.TPFCincluded (2) TPF workshops on "Plant Propagation techniques for wild roses (qel'qel) and stinging nettle (ts'ets'sex.)"These plants contain antiseptic, antioxidant, antibacterial properties. Wild Roseshelpwith circulation and soothe sore, achy muscles. Nettles help filter out waste from body, and help hair/nails grow. 1.2. TPFPoffered (46) events, (15) were collaborated with other NWIC (Wellness, Financial Literacy, Cooperative Extension) and Lummi Indian Business Council programs (Young People Re-Engagement, Cultural Youth, Lummi Victims of Crime, Project Aware.) Over 452 participants attended the workshops. Participant(s)received a sample of herbal product, educational handouts with recipe(s), glossary, picture(s) and information on the plant (ex. How to Make Devil's Club Salve, Aromatherapy Spritzer/Body Mist, Blending Herbal Teas, etc.) If there were herbal products left over, they were saved to disburse at LummI Stommish or Canoe Journey events. TPFP offered (3)DYI Herbal First Aid Kits, (5) TPF cooking demos (Stinging Nettle vinegar, Nettle superfood, Filet Salmon), (4) medicinal or Beauty Product demo (Rescue Balm, Devil's Club salve, etc.), (6) Holiday Make/Take events (Christmas, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, etc.-demostrated how to make cedar corsages, hearts, ornaments and aromatherapy spritzers/oil blends and salts.) There were a total of (30) NWIC students, (51) staff, (92) CM, (64) youth that attended. TPFPstaff, landscapers,student interns andyouth designed (2) twosmall garden(s)around afruit tree and near the CE back exit door. Garden(s) contains comfrey,white/pink yarrow, calendula, dead nettle and muillien. The plants require little care and easily reproduce (ex. yarrow, calendula, peppermint, dead nettes, etc.) and grow for the next growing season. When they are ready to harvest, they areprocessed into herbal infused oils, vinegars, tonics, and herbal tea. Calendula easily self seed in place and create new plants.Throughout the yearwe filled up(2)gallon ziplock bags. The seeds were offered to participants who want to grow their own at home. 2.1. TPFP offered (13) harvestingevents (2 workshops were for the Lummi Youth program.) We travelled to themountains (Horsetail Bend, Mt. Baker) oraround the reservation (Portage, Stommish, Cable Crossings, Cove) andgathered western red-cedar, yarrow, wild rose, nettles, St. John Wort, etc.There were (21) NWIC staff, (18) CM & (22) youthparticipated. The plants/foods were processed/dried and madeinto tonics, vinegars, infused oils, and linements. 2.2. TPFC researched/collected information (medicinal benefits of carrier oils/essential oils & other needed ingredients) on how to create natural beauty products. With the information and recipes gathered, TPFC created a 26 pg. educational booklet "Aromatherapy-Art of Essential Oils, " (contains variety of recipes, information on :essential oil extraction, dlution percentages, medicinal benefits of:carrier oils, plants, buttersand glossary of essential oil therapuetic properties.) TPFC created and offered (3) Aromatherapy-Art of Essential Oil series (which contains total of (4) four (1 hr.- 1 1/2 hr) workshops. There were (5) NWIC students, (17) staff, (11) CM who participated. Demostrated how to make Aromatherapy Oil blends/spritzers of Cold Buster, Immune Booster, Protect Thyself. These recipes help sooth cold/flu symptoms/increase and boost your immune system using 100% pure essential oils. NWIC followed LIBC's safety protocol's on COVID 19. TPFC/Staff developed/created Health Questionarie, which participants had to fill out in order to participate in the workshops. This Health Questionaire, helped keep down the exposure to COVID 19. TPFP staff also updated the Event Survey. This information was very helpful, because it helped improve upcoming TPF workshops. (ex. provide small break in between workshop, provide pictures of plants on handouts.) 3.1. Over the course of the project, TPFC/Staff photographed over (65) TPF (ex. Baldhip Rose, Nootka Rose, Nodding Onions, rosehips, elderberries, elderflowers, yarrow, plantain, devil's club, salmonberries, etc.) that grow throughout NWIC campus,Lummi Indian Reservation, and Coast Sailsh area. TPFC researched/interviewed elders/language teachers on how to translates plants and foodsinto Lummi Language. TPFP staff put signs in front of plants and foods, which contain proper plant nomenclature (English, Latin, and Tribal name of plant.) Throughout the spring/summer season, TPFC staff gathered/processed over (40) different medicinal plants/foods that help soothe aches/sore muscles/skin irritations (ezema, psoriasis), clear bronchial tubes, provide relief for cough/cold symtems, etc. After processing the plants (lay out to dry/crush in mortar and pestle) the staff filled 52 jars ( sizes: 4oz- 32oz.) with various medicinal plants that are dried (ex. devil's club, yarrow, red/white clover, barestem biscuit root, labrador leaves, yarrow leaves, elderflowers, elder berries, nootka rose, rosehips, etc.) and ready for use. TPFC/Staff also processed (9) small and (1) large jars of herbal infused honey (Lavender, Peppermint, Rose and Cough/Cold.) Adding roots/flowers to raw honey creates a powerful medicine that contains antibacterial, antiseptic, and antioxidant qualities which is a great additive to balms, salves, and facial masks. On the front of the jar, there is a label that explains their medicinal benefits. TPFC/staff processed and filled (6)16 oz. and (18) 4 oz. mason jars with plants that are/were infused in rubbing alcohol, witch hazel or apple cider vinegar. This infusion process creates strong medicine that makes liniments/ tonics/vinegar (for food/skin & body care,) that helps heal/soothe sore achy muscles/skin irritations, or adds minerals to foods, etc (only use vinegar infusions on foods.)Thisproject developed into the development of the "Herbal Tea Dispensary," which will be offered for NWIC students/staff/community soon. They will be ableto drop by during certains days/time, to try/discuss/make their own personalized teas. TPFC created educational handouts "Blending Herbal Teas *infusions & *decotions*, Herbal Tea-Plant benefits (medicinal benefits of each plant) and various herbal tea recipes. 3.2. CE gardens (Healing, Sun Sustainability & Berry) were maintained by TPF staff and various landscapers/gardener/others(9) youth/elders & (4) land scapers. Everyone helped with garden maintenance by removing invasive plants (American vetch, Poison Hemlocks, Horsetails, Jack Eye Dandelions, etc.), mowing, planting, watering, weeding and harvesting. TPFC created (2) educational powerpoints on Three Sister's Garden, and "Sun Sustainability: The powerpoints were used to help develop other handouts on Herbal Gardening and the furthur development of the garden areas. TPFC created (4) Three Sister Gardens, however only one survived. It was due to the huge tent catipillar invasion that the PNW was hit with. TPF staff was outside nearly everyday for two months straight to remove the catipillars/eggs from fruit trees/plants. It nearly killed (4) fruit trees, and destroyed alot of other plants in the garden. After the constant care, eventually the plants/trees started to become healthy and grow back. However the fruit trees did not produce alot of apples this year.
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Progress 09/15/21 to 09/14/22
Outputs
Target Audience:During the reporting period, September 2021- September 2022, the Traditional Plants and FoodsProject (TPFP) served Native American community members, which includes Tribal members (youth to elder) of Lummi Nation and other surrounding Coast Salish Tribal communities. As well as Northwest Indian College (NWIC) main campus (Lummi) and six extended sites students, staff andcommunity members. Changes/Problems:Due to the uprising positive cases of COVID-19, the Lummi Reservation temperary closed down schools and other departments/businesses. Lummi council developed a safety plan , with risk levels (phases 1 green, 2 yellow,3 orange, 4 red) as wellas a curfew when needed for alltribal community members to follow. During the Red risk level NWIC only offeredonline courses and classes/workshops/eventsthrough Zoom and Canvas. NWIC did not allow students, faculty,staff on campus during winter, spring andpart of summer quarter. At first it was extremely difficult to offer TPF workshops because itcontained an "hands-on learning" component. Such as helping with medicine making part, by measuring/mixing/melting ingredients (soft butter carriers, herbal infused oils and essential oils). However, the TPFPC specifically used this time to research and create traditional skill series, as well as educational handouts, power points, pamphlets, etc. to share and show others how to safetlyidentify/gather traditional plants and foods that are specifically growing around the Lummi nation area(Portage,Stommish.) The TPFC is currently working on a plan on how to offer TPF classes specifically to NWIC students/staff/community members at the extended sites. Hopefully this plan will be completed and offered by the beginning of winter quarter. ? What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Attended the 31st Annual Student Affairs Conference "Post Pandemic Revitalization and Renewal Continuing TCU Partnerships" at Salish Kootenai College in Pablo, Montana, July 24-28, 2022. Networked with other tribal colleges and universities. Also meet with SKC Extension office employees and learned about the programs they offer. Also employees gave us a tour of their green/shade houses and their traditional plants and foods gardens. Attended NWIC Center for Health "Walking with Our Ancestors." July 29, 2022. Over 25+ youth from Ferndale School district attended the annual conference which helps educate our young youth on health and wellness. Youth made a variety of natural herbal products such as Devil's Club oil, Aromatherapy Spritzers, Cold Buster's, Nourishing Hand Sanitizers. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?NWIC Public Officer attended a few classes and took photographs at the events. Photographs and small writeup about the eventare available on the NWIC webpage and other Social Media pages.Since COVID 19 and Monkey Pox is still running rapid in the world, a majority of various Tribal departments/programs have safety protocols in place. Currently with Lummi Indian Business Council's policy, events/workshops/conferences can currently be offered with a maximum of 50 participants (still wearing masks, following safety protocols.) However before summer started, the maximum limited was slightly lower at mininum of 5 maximum of 10 participants (depending on the building size.) What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?As of now a majority of the goals and objectives have been successfully completed. However, the Traditional Plants and Foods Program Coordinatoris in the process of planning another traditional plants and foods skill series as well astraditional plants and foods workshops as well as expanding on the gardens. The TPFC plans on accomplishing the goals of 1.1.- 1.2.- 2.1.- 2.2. -3.1.- 3.2. Also as of now, NWIC offers classes, events, conferences, etc.face to face (now with more flexiable limits on participants.) The TPFP is in the process of finalizing the Student Internship application, so they can bedispersedfor the upcoming Fall 2022 quarter at NWIC Student Orientations, and future events.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
1.1. Northwest Indian College (NWIC) Cooperative Extension (CE) Traditional Plants/Foods Program (TPF) Coordinator (TPFC) and Indigenous Foods Coordinator (IFC) planted and grew numerous traditional plants and foods in the CE healing, berry, and sun sustainability garden. Calendula infused oils can be used to make teas, balms, salves, oil blends and lotions, which can helpsoothe and provide relief forvarious fungal infections such as psoriasis, eczema, cuts, bruises, scrapes, and aches. Calendula flowers also provide relief if you get stung or bit by bees, wasps, or ants. Calendula grows easily in almost any climate and will readily reseed itself and comes back year after year. The previous year we planted only four calendula plants, now there are over (20) plants throughout the CE garden areas.Calendula seeds are gathered once they are fully matured and dry. Throughout the year TPFC, IFC, NWIC TPF participants gathered matured dry seeds. The following year, seeds will be dispersed at future TPF event/workshops along with educational information on how to successfully grow calendula plants in your own garden. 1.2.September 2021 thru September 2022, TPFC researched, developed, and offered (20) different TPF activities. Six of the activities collaborated with Lummi Indian Business Council's Workforce Development department, the Young People Re-Engagement Project total of NWIC students (16), staff (41), community members (67), and youth (25). TPFP activities offered consisted of identifying, harvesting, and making medicinal herbal products (salves, lotions, balms, teas, sprays) using various TPF (yarrow, calendula, nootka roses, black cottonwood bud, devil's club)that grow throughout the Pacific Northwest, preferable on the Lummi Indian Reservation.TPFC also created over (25) educational handouts on Microsoft Word/Publisher/Power point which included the medicinal and therapeutic values and properties of each infused herbal oils/essential oils used in each herbal medicinal product.(Art of Essential Oils, Cold Buster, Immune Booster Spritzer/Perfume Oil, Headache/Migraine Oil, Sinus/Congestion Oil, Aromatherapy Body Care-bath salts, spritzers, bath teas-, Protect Thy Self Aromatherapy Blend Oil, Devil's Club Salve, Wildflower/Calendula Rescue Balm, Cough and Cold Infused Honey, Stinging Nettle Tea, Detox Tea, Natural healing and vegan lip balms, nourishing hand sanitizers, cocoa butter lotion, mother's belly cream, sunburn soother, Insect Repellent, Infused herbal honey, Healing Lotion Balms, Red Cedar ornaments, Cedar Roses, and Cedar Roses corsage. 2.1. TPFP offered six gathering events during spring and summer 2022 with a total of NWIC staff (12), Community Members (15) and (10) youth participants. Also, TPFC and IFC travelled over 15 times to gather various TPF. TPFC, IFC and TPFP participantstravelled to the mountains to Horsetail Bend trail, Mount Baker, Mosquito Lake as well asPortage, Stommishand around the Lummi Indian Reservation to gather western redcedar, yarrow, St. John's Wort, nootka rose, bald hip rose, devil's club, etc. NWIC students, staff, community members, youth, elderslearned how to identify, harvest, and care for various TPF such as prepping and cleaning western redcedar and drying the loose leaves/flowers for infused carrier oils, tinctures, sprays, and balms. 2.2. TPFC researched, developed, and offered (5) five mini workshop series "Aromatherapy the Art of Essential Oils". The workshop was offered every Tuesday after lunch for over an hour. NWIC students (5), staff (5)participants learned the medicinal benefits and therapeutic values of five essential oils (lavender, sweet orange, peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree)and made a variety of herbal healing products that are used to help provide relief for coughs, colds, influenzas, cuts, scrapes, and mental health. Also, the TPFC developed a health questionnaire and continuing education unit survey that will be given out to TPF futureparticipants.TPFC also researched and developedfive plant monographs (licorice fern, red huckleberry, biscuitroot (ghost seeds), osha root, and devil's club) for the CE TPFP.Thefive plant monographs will also be used as examples forfuture TPF student interns to reference. 3.1. TPFC identified, gathered, harvested and also took photographs of over (45) traditional plants and foods (crab apples, Siberian apples, moyer plum, greengage plum, Anjou pear, Bosc pear, bald hip roses, rosehips, elderberries, elderflowers, calendula, lavender, peppermint, lemon balm, lettuce, pumpkins, mullein, lamb's ear, St. John's Wort, nodding onion, dandelions, comfrey, plantain, frog plantain, yarrow, selfheal, wild evergreen huckleberries, strawberries, salal berries, salmon berries, thimbleberries, hawthorn berries, choke cherries, bird cherries, red flowering currant berries, wild blueberries, licorice fern, Oregon grape berries, Oregon grape, juniper, Red flowering currant, stinging nettle, trillium, pacific bleeding heart, Firefox gloves, devil's club, salmonberry spouts and fireweed) that grow throughout the NWIC CE gardens as well as surrounding areas on Lummi Nation and Coast Salish tribal communities. TPFC researched and developed five educational handouts on traditional plants and foods that grow around the surrounding areas. Also researched the about the plants and foods and translated the plant names into Latin, Lummi language and English. In two of the handouts the photographs TPFC took are included in learning how to identify the follow plants and foods that are included in the handout. 3.2. Throughout fall, winter, spring, and summer the CE gardens (Healing, Berry and Sun Sustainability) were maintained by various gardeners (TPFC, IFC, TPFP participants -NWIC students, staff, community members, (9) youth, elders and (4) hired landscapers.) They helped maintain the gardens by helping remove invasive weeds (American vetch, Poison Hemlock, Horsetails, Jack's Eye Dandelions, etc), mowing, planting, removing and harvesting various traditional plants and foods that are growing (crab apples, Siberian apples, Moyer plum, greengage plum, Anjou pear, Bosc pear, bald hip roses, rosehips, elderberries, elderflowers, calendula, lavender, peppermint, lemon balm, lettuce, pumpkins, mullein, lamb's ear, St. John's Wort, nodding onion, dandelions, comfrey, plantain, frog plantain, yarrow, selfheal, wild evergreen huckleberries, strawberries, salal berries, salmon berries, thimbleberries, hawthorn berries, choke cherries, bird cherries, red flowering currant berries, wild blueberries, Oregon grape berries, Oregon grape, juniper, Red flowering currant and fireweed. TPFC researched and created two educational power points on the Three Sister's and Sun Sustainability Gardens. The educational power points/ modules will be further developed and will be used to offer future TPF events.
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Progress 09/15/20 to 09/14/21
Outputs
Target Audience:During the reporting period, September2020-September 2021, the project served Native American community members, including tribal members (youth to elder) of the Lummi Nation and other Coast Salish Tribes. Also Northwest Indian College (NWIC) students, staff, and faculty. Changes/Problems:Due to the difficulties on how to address and offer classes to the community, NWIC, TPFP events were put on hold until further notice. TPFP promotes culturally based healthy food behaviors among Coast Salish tribal members. TPFP "offers hands-on" classes/workshops about harvesting traditional plants & foods & also medicine making demos (salves, balms, teas, etc). Due to the uprising positive cases of COVID-19, Lummi Reservation closed down schools & businesses. Lummi council developed a safety plan (phases 1-4) and a curfew that tribal & community members followed. During this time, NWIC was closed, however classes & various workshops/conferences were offered online through Zoom.NWIC did not allow students, faculty & staff on campus during winter, spring & part of summer (2020-2021) quarter. It was extremely difficult to offer TPF workshops because they contain an "hands-on learning" component. Class participants help with medicine making part, by measuring/mixing/melting ingredients (soft butter carriers, herbal infused oils & essential oils.) It would be difficult to make individual herbal product kits that contain the correct small amount of beeswax, butters, herbal infused oils, other carrier oils & essential oils (EO) as well as the proper containers.The amount needed, depends on the type of herbal product that's made. While making our medicines, class participants usually have questions, etc. or might need more help to make the herbal medicine product. Class participants help with the medicine making part, by measuring ingredients (shea/cocoa/avocado butter, herbal infused/carrier oils & EO.) Instructor blends ingredients together & adds EO, pours into containers. As you can see it's difficult to make individual herbal product kits that contain the correct small amount of butters, herbal infused oils, essential oils (EO) as well as the materials (containers, measuring cups, etc.) The amount needed, depends on the type of herbal product that's made. That's why we only offered limited classes. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?During this time, NWIC did not allow students on campus, however classes & various workshops/conferences were offered online through Zoom/Social media.NWIC did not allow students, faculty & staff on campus during winter, spring & part of summer (2020-2021) quarter. It was extremely difficult to offer TPF workshops because they contain an "hands-on learning" component. Also there were strict guidelines, that were followed once allowed to have workshops,events, face-to-face. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Next reporting period plan on completing the 1,1, & 3,1 goals. Also since school has started, want to coordinate with Center for Student Sucess to put out applications for students to sign up to be interns in the TPFP. The program has a lot to offer to students who are interested in our traditional homelands and our traditional ways of life on how to use/make traditional plants and foods.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
1.2. However, it was difficult, Traditional Plant & Food Coordinator (TPFC), Indigenous Food Coordinator (IFC), developed 20 Do it Yourself take home "Aromatherapy, The Art of EO" kit. The ingredients were pre-measured & contained 5 different EO's (peppermint, tea tree, sweet orange, lavender & eucalyptus) in a small dram. Each dram contained 50 drops per dram. The educational handout contains information about each EO with recipes, how to make "Aromatherapy Spritzer & Nourishing Hand Sanitizer," & administer E.O.s in various ways. *TPFC, IFC, elders prepared & cleaned 10 Devil club stalks. (removed outer bark & spines.) The outer bark was infused in extra virgin olive oil. The clean stalks will be prepared/made into beads. Devil club beads are important for spiritual/medicinal purposes. 2.1. TPFC, IFC, elders, community members, used the time to identify, gather & prepare traditional plants medicine. Over winter, spring, summer TPFC, IFC, staff, 4 elders, 5 community members, 8 youth traveled to 3x mountains & 10x beaches to gather traditional plants & foods. We gathered & prepared rosehips, stinging nettle, peppermint, calendula, spearmint, lemon balm, nootka rose, bald hip rose, biscuit root (mature seeds), western red cedar, devil's club, mullein, yarrow, red clover, wild violets, lavender & wild berries (huckleberry spp., salal, salmonberry, blue berry.) The plants were dried for 3-5 days & placed in a mason jar & covered with oil (extra virgin olive oil, sweet almond, grapeseed, jojoba, coconut oil.) The mason jars were placed throughout the Cooperative Extension garden to solar infuse for 3 months or more. The herbal infused oils are good for 6 months to 1 year. The oils will be used in future herbal medicine making events.* TPFC guest lecture @ summer qrt. ENVS 201 Independent lab. Took student on a nature walk around NWIC campus. Identified traditional plants/foods currently available. Talked about importance of stinging nettle plant. Student made stinging nettle tea to try at home. *Devil's Club Salve/Herbal Lip Balm class offered @ Early Learning Center Home base program. The 5 para educators made 100 per, & 40 per was handed out to the eight families participants. Since the class was recorded, the families were able to watch the demonstration. The rest of salve & balm was donated to other workshop. *25 kits, "Aromatherapy Blend Roll-on", with educational handout about coughs/colds & Congestion. *Lummi's traditional homelands are surrounded by an abundant amount of traditional plants. Lummi heavily relied on Ghost seeds Lomatium nuadicule (Xwlemi' Chosen name: (qexmin), devil's club Oplopanax horridus, (kwenen-eplh), stinging nettle Urtica dioca ( ts'ets'ex), and western red cedar Thuja plicata (xepey'-ilhch.) for medicinal/ceremonial uses. Throughout spring I gathered information (books, internet, elders) to write plant monographs & educational handouts for TPFP. The handouts will be used for teaching purposes within NWIC Cooperative Extension department. Plant monographs provide a logically arranged set of information about a certain plant. Although plant monographs word counts are generally around 3,500-5,000 words in length, it gives detailed information, about its traditional uses, actions & constituents with references. A good plant monograph can help people save a lot of time and effort, especially when you are looking for evidence about the uses or effects of a certain plants. As of today, I have finalized two monographs ghost seeds & osha root. 2.2. For the past months I've been gathering information/ recipes on making beauty products, herbal medicinal products with simple non-toxic pure EO & infused herbal oils & carrier oils (jojoba, avocado, grapeseed, coconut oil.) EO's contain a variety of therapeutic properties such as: anti-viral, anti-septic & astringent. A lot of expensive in-store beauty products contain EO's of Lavender: calming, healing & promotes clear skin. Frankincense: use it for fine lines, mature/aging skin. Geranium: great for oily or dry skin, promotes smooth & toned skin. With all the information I have gathered, I've created/designed educational handouts & recipes (toners, lip balms & scrubbers, facial serum, infused honey (masks) facial/body lotion, hand sanitizers, perfume/spritzers & herbal bath salts & sugar scrubs.) Purchased variety of herbal product making materials for upcoming TPF events (fancy gusset bags, pure essential oils, chalk pens, metallic pens, stickers, floral wrapping tapes, skewers, blank chalk tags, zip lock bags, bulk bath salt, oils, soft/hard butters, oils, & containers.) 3.2. Last year, an area was cleared for the Sun Sustainability garden (SSG). The garden also contains 3 Sister plants (pole beans, pumpkins, corn.) These plants will survive combined together. The landscapers rototilled & created a large mound area that was covered with the top soil. They also travelled to the river & beach six times to gather a variety of shapes of rocks to create an outline in shape of a sun. Due to extreme unusual hot weather & not going to campus, this took longer than expected. I grew the pumpkins, pole beans & corn at home. Once the plants got bigger, I placed them in the sun garden. In the garden box @ beginning of the year, there was 4 calendula plants, throughout the season, the plants provided a lot of seeds. I gathered the seeds, and replanted them, now there is over 20 calendula plants. I gather the calendula flowers, dry them for a few days, & solar infuse them in carrier oil. It's great addition to our balms & salves. I had to remove plants & soil from 2 garden boxes because it was invaded by toxic invasive plants. Landscapers also cleared out area in front of CEB to create a peppermint plants garden. They removed invasive weeds & outlined the area with rocks & added rose plants. There are 5 plant signs (proper plant nomenclature) in garden. Need at least 10 more, first I want to make sure the Lummi language translations are correct before making the rest of plant signs.
Publications
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