The first seasonal round of harvesting in laxyuubm Ts’msyen - Tsimshian territory starts in late February or early March, when the Ksiyeen - Skeena River comes alive with wildlife and people. This time of year is called Ha'lilax six'ẅa̱h – the time for harvesting eulachon . Harvesters anticipate this annual harvest, as ha'limootk - the first run of eulachon is the … Continue reading ‘ẅa̱h – Eulachon, with James Russell
Author: Lisa
inta maaynm ‘as [in/ta/maay nm ‘as]- jarred soap berries
Last year, we shared a blog post for yel ‘as - whipped soap berries, Indian ice cream , and had a few people asking us how to preserve them! We were not sure ourselves, so we had to ask Stephen’s friend Carol from Gitwinksiłkw what the method was for preserving ‘as [‘as] - soapberries. ‘Yel … Continue reading inta maaynm ‘as [in/ta/maay nm ‘as]- jarred soap berries
sa’mx [*sa/’mx] – butter clam
Just like g̱a̱boox [g̱a̱/*boox] - cockles, you can harvest ts'a̱'a̱x [ts'a̱'a̱x] - clam (common noun) throughout the cold winter months. Ts'a̱'a̱x live low in the intertidal zone, but above the g̱a̱boox (they live even lower down in the intertidal zone). Shellfish, including ts'a̱'a̱x and g̱a̱boox, can be harvested about twice per month on the low-low … Continue reading sa’mx [*sa/’mx] – butter clam
sagayt łwa’elsgm sanaasgm amgyiika – seafood chowder
Ama su kooł - happy New Year! January 1st marks the new year in the conventional calendar - but for the Ts’msyen (Tsimshian people), the new year traditionally starts at Ha'lila̱x six'ẅa̱h [ha/'li/la̱x/si/*'ẅa̱h] - the time to harvest eulachon, the month of March. Ha'lila̱x six'ẅa̱h is the start of the seasonal rounds, and is the … Continue reading sagayt łwa’elsgm sanaasgm amgyiika – seafood chowder
lax wi’iil – gravel bar
I’d like to preface this post by saying that we thoroughly enjoy every seasonal change in Ts’msyen territory - but our favourite change of the seasons is the k'suut [ksuut] - autumn; fall season . For me, the crisp, cool air triggers a feeling of nostalgia for going back to school and getting back to … Continue reading lax wi’iil – gravel bar
yel ‘as [yel/’as] – whipped soap berries, Indian ice cream
Lax Kxeen (Prince Rupert) Your browser doesn't support this audio player. is home to many First Nations focused community events. Two of the highlights of my year are the All Native Basketball Tournament and National Indigenous People’s Day - where you can usually always find a vendor selling yel ‘as - whipped soapberries, Indian Ice … Continue reading yel ‘as [yel/’as] – whipped soap berries, Indian ice cream
huułens [*huu/łens] – poison root; hellebore
Warning: Huułens is not an edible harvest product. Do not ingest! ⚠️ Always wear gloves when handling huułens. ⚠️ Keep away/ out of reach of children and pets. ⚠️ Huułens Your browser doesn't support this audio player. that Steve spotted on one of his creek walks. Once you find huułens you’ll likely see a lot … Continue reading huułens [*huu/łens] – poison root; hellebore
Ha’lila̱x sixs’waanx [ha/’li/la̱x/si/*xs’waa/nx] – the time to harvest herring eggs; the month of April
Have you ever heard the phrase “herring weather”? This Ha'lila̱x sixs'waanx [ha/'li/la̱x/si/*xs'waa/nx] - the time to harvest herring eggs, April Your browser doesn't support this audio player., has been full of herring weather! Herring weather in Lax Kxeen (place of foam, Prince Rupert) Your browser doesn't support this audio player.! Cold enough for snow and … Continue reading Ha’lila̱x sixs’waanx [ha/’li/la̱x/si/*xs’waa/nx] – the time to harvest herring eggs; the month of April
Ha’limootk [ha’/li/*mootk] – Saviour Fish, the first run of eulachon
Ha'limootk [ha'/li/*mootk] Your browser doesn't support this audio player. is the first run of 'ẅa̱h (eulachon) Your browser doesn't support this audio player.. The word Ha'limootk is akin to saying saviour fish (literally translates to time/place where safe). The saviour fish arrives at the tail end of goomsm [*goom/sm] - winter Your browser doesn't support … Continue reading Ha’limootk [ha’/li/*mootk] – Saviour Fish, the first run of eulachon
xmasgm buwel – spot prawns
Ama su k’ooł - Happy New Year! Did you know that you can catch fresh likleksm buwel (general term for prawns and shrimp) Your browser doesn't support this audio player. right here in laxyuubm Ts’msyen (Tsimshian territory) Your browser doesn't support this audio player.? Xmasgm buwel (spot prawns; the red prawns below) Your browser … Continue reading xmasgm buwel – spot prawns