Plants in Blackfoot ways of life
 
Zuyderhoud

Abstract

Blackfoot accounts on the past and present reveal dynamics in uses of plants in Blackfoot ways of life over time. They describe how the use of plants ties in with every day life in Blackfoot communities and refer to important values and practices. These range from food and medicinal uses to setting dates in the year for ceremonies. The dynamics of some of these practices and many of the values associated with them easily remain out of view in descriptions provided in specialised ethnobotanies. In this presentation I will investigate different approaches to the use of plants in Blackfoot ways of life and discuss how accounts on the past and present can be used as valuable sources on plants in health and culture.