Photograph 2021.003.003

"When I first returned to the village, my sister-in-law took me for a walk throughout the village. As we approached a patch of plants, she suggested taking off our shoes to rub our feet amongst the plants. As I was preparing to take my shoes off she said no, those plants sting you. Such a trickster that Rhoda Moonin is!"

-Nancy Yeaton, Nanwalek

"These plants can be gathered up to 8 inches long. The brand new fresh green shoots are tender and can be sautéed with your favorite grease or favorite seasonings. Mine is fresh garlic. They can also be added to soups or omlettes. If preferred, they can be dried and canned for making tea with the dried leaves. They are also useful for detering mosquitos by burning the leaves. They also have medicinal properties for removing a rotten tooth or old injuries."

-Nancy Yeaton, Nanwalek

More detail can be found in Janice Schofield's books, or in the book "Alutiiq Plantlore" by Priscilla N. Russell.