Radical Noesis - Thinking outside the box

A major part of their diets included the migratory fish that swam up the rivers. This included salmon, steelhead and eels. They also ate the trout, clams and other small fish that were available year round. Deer, elk and small game were also hunted for food and clothing.

Much of their food that was not eaten right away would be preserved and stored in baskets. Their primary preservation method was simply drying and/or smoking their foods and then putting them in specially made baskets lined and covered with maple leaves.

One of the main staples of this region was a root called ‘camas.’ It is a flowering plant that grows from a bulb in moist wetland areas. The blue flowers can make an area look like a blue lake when the plants are in full bloom. Due to “progress” and development, camas is now difficult to find.

The roots, or bulbs, were cooked in a pit dug in the ground. Rock lined the bottom. A fire would be built in the pit to heat the rocks. Once the fire went out, all ash and debris were removed. A layer of leaves was put on top of the hot rocks. Then layers of camas and leaves followed, ending with leaves on the top. About a foot of dirt would then cover the top of the pit. The roots were left to slow cook in this manner overnight. After being removed from the pit, the camas was either eaten or dried for later use.

The rest of their diet consisted of wild berries, roots from sunflowers, tiger lilies and wild carrots, acorns and hazelnuts.
I found in my research that the wild carrot is not extinct. In fact, it is found all over the world. The Chehalis tell of a time when wild carrots were harvested near Malone, Washington. Wild carrots are not orange like the carrots sold in the stores. They are an earthy white color and have a tangy flavor.

Though we cannot realistically subsist on the plants and animals native to this region, we can learn where they grow and try some on occasion. Perhaps grow a few wild carrots in our gardens. (Seeds can be obtained from the flower that grows at the top if allowed to grow long enough.) We all can purchase fishing or hunting licenses to obtain these fish or wild game. Should the time come when we need each other, some could hunt and others could gather in areas designated for public use. When buying seafood at the grocery store, pay attention to what is wild caught and what is farmed. I know Albertson’s posts this information for their customers already.

The Confederate Tribes of the Chehalis

Canku Ota

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