Weaving Traditional Ecological Knowledge into the Restoration of Basketry Plants

Abstract

This paper focuses on the benefits of incorporating traditional ecological knowledge into

Natural and cultural history of beargrass (<em>Xerophyllum tenax</em>)

“…Baskets are "symbols of identity" for the families and tribes that weave them (Brotherton 2008). The symbology of a particular basket showcases the skill of an individual weaver (Lobb 1990), and also is a portrait of a tribe's history and mythology (Shebitz 2005). The art of basketry is therefore "a community resource" (Jones 1983) as the basket is a medium through which identity and knowledge can be passed from generation to generation (Marr 2008, Shebitz andKimmerer 2005).…”

“…Beargrass is harvested primarily during spring and summer, after snowmelt, with special focus given to areas that have burned sometime over the last 1 to 3 years (Crane 1990, Hunter 1988, O'Neale 1930, Rentz 2003, Schlick 1994, Shebitz 2005, Shebitz et al 2009a, Vance et al 2001. High-elevation plants produce longer and stronger (less brittle) leaves (Hunter 1988, Rentz 2003, and beargrass plants Native Americans used fire to prepare beargrass habitat, probably because exposure to low-intensity fire increased leaf quality (Hunter 1988, LaLande and Pullen 1999, O'Neale 1930, Shebitz 2005.…”

“…High-elevation plants produce longer and stronger (less brittle) leaves (Hunter 1988, Rentz 2003, and beargrass plants Native Americans used fire to prepare beargrass habitat, probably because exposure to low-intensity fire increased leaf quality (Hunter 1988, LaLande and Pullen 1999, O'Neale 1930, Shebitz 2005. Researchers have documented that leaves harvested from recently burned sites are less pigmented, thinner, and stronger (Hunter 1988, Rentz 2003.…”

“…9). Brittle leaves or leaves with a yellowish tint are not suitable for weaving (Crane 1990, Hunter 1988, LaLande and Pullen 1999, Rentz 2003, Schlick 1994, Shebitz 2005, Shebitz et al 2009a, Thomas and Schumann 1993. Additionally, older larger, thicker leaves with the red-tinged leaf edges near base are avoided.…”

“…After several catastrophic western fires beginning in 1910, burning was prohibited within the national forests nationwide and the policy of fire suppression was established (Rentz 2003). Beargrass is one resource typically collected from burned areas that is declining over at least some of its range (Hunter 1988, Shebitz 2005, Shebitz et al 2008). Change in plant community composition is a readily documented ecological consequence of fire-suppression practices.…”