Traditional Medicine

Yew

Yew – skin’-ik 97 –Taxus brevifolia. Courtesy of Michael Keefer

Interest in traditional medicine is currently increasing, with a few families carrying on the traditions of old, and reincorporating information from other sources into their practice. The residential school period and its aftermath were hard on the continuity of specialized knowledge. However, through reading the literature, talking with Elders from various nations, including other Secwépemc, and experimentation, as well as spending time with the plants, much has been regained. One member suffered from cancer, and managed to cure it using traditional medicines. There are several cases reported where the local medicine succeeded where western medicine could not help.

Many of the traditional medicines, such as Yew, can be dangerous to those who do not know the plant, or the traditions, or traditional dosage and preparation techniques. For this reason, it is not advisable to experiment with medicinal plants without support from an Elder or other knowledgeable person.

Medicinal plants are of key importance to the Band members following these traditions, and safeguard the health and well-being of the Band as a whole. The rarity of certain medicinal plants must also be kept in mind when collecting, as the medicines must be there for future generations.