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
harvesting
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
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
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
yeem goomsm – [yee/m *goom/sm] winter spring/chinook salmon
For Steve and myself, every season is la̱x'wiihoon [la̱x/'wii/*hoon] salmon season. But goomsm [*goom/sm] - winter , is our most productive for spring salmon fishing. Stephen is busy with fieldwork during the suunt - summer , so we tend to have more ocean fishing days in his off season. By mid Ha'lila̱x sig̱aboox [ha/'li/*la̱x/si/g̱a/*boox] - … Continue reading yeem goomsm – [yee/m *goom/sm] winter spring/chinook salmon
ma̱xmeex [ma̱x/*meex] – grouse
Fall harvesting is prime time for ma̱xmeex [ma̱x/*meex] - common noun. grouse; partridge (literally x= experience/consume, meex pine cone) Your browser doesn't support this audio player.. This fall, we went for a drive on the backroads to harvest ma̱xmeex. This was my first ever ma̱xmeex, from last October. Steve says grouse hunting is a great … Continue reading ma̱xmeex [ma̱x/*meex] – grouse
Ha’li’la̱x siła̱’a̱sk [ha/’li/la̱x/si/*ła̱’a̱sk] – the time to harvest seaweed; the month of May
Ha'li'la̱x siła̱'a̱skYour browser doesn't support this audio player. is the time for harvesting seaweed! Ła̱'a̱sk [*ła̱/'a̱sk] Your browser doesn't support this audio player. is the Sm’algya̱x Your browser doesn't support this audio player. word for seaweed, and we’ve been talking about ła̱'a̱sk quite a bit in our household. Steve has harvested ła̱'a̱sk with his uncles … Continue reading Ha’li’la̱x siła̱’a̱sk [ha/’li/la̱x/si/*ła̱’a̱sk] – the time to harvest seaweed; the month of May
Ha’lila̱x six’ẅa̱h [ha/’li/la̱x/si/*’ẅa̱h] – the time to harvest eulachon; the month of March
This year’s eulachon run has been anything but typical! 'Ẅa̱h (common noun for eulachon) can be found up and down the coast, and go by many different names; we’ve heard: eulachon (scientific spelling and Steve’s preferred spelling) oolichan (Lisa’s preference, oolie for short) ooligan hooligan candle fish saviour fish The eulachon run is the first … Continue reading Ha’lila̱x six’ẅa̱h [ha/’li/la̱x/si/*’ẅa̱h] – the time to harvest eulachon; the month of March
g̱a̱boox [g̱a̱/*boox] – cockles
In the Tsimshian calendar, October is Ha'lila̱x sig̱aboox [ha/'li/*la̱x/si/g̱a/*boox] - the time to harvest cockles. But in the Ts’msyen territory, cockles are good to harvest anywhere from October to February. Steve checks the marine weather and tides daily, so last month in Ha'liwilgyisiyaask [Ha/'li/wil/gyi/si/*yaask] - the time of the north wind, February, we knew there … Continue reading g̱a̱boox [g̱a̱/*boox] – cockles