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TitleDistribution, Abundance, and Utilization of Wild Berries by the Gwich'in People in the Mackenzie River Delta Region
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2005
AuthorsMurray, G., Boxall P. C., & Wein R. W.
Volume59
Issue2
Pagination174-184
PublisherEconomic Botany
Publication Languageen
ISBN Number0013-0001
Keywordsabundance, boreal, Dene Gwich' in, distribution, Mackenzie River Valley, non-timber forest products, utilization, wild berries
Abstract

This paper examines the abundance and Aboriginal use of botanical non-timber forest products in the Gwich'in Settlement Area in the Northwest Territories, Canada. Informants indicated that wild berries are important to Gwich'in diets and an important factor in culture and traditional land use. People collected mostly cloudberries (Rubus chamaemorus), blueberries (Vaccinium uliginosum), and lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea). The total quantities collected were estimated to be greater than other published accounts of berry gathering by northern Aboriginal peoples in North America. The total collected by the 450 households in the year 2000 was about 16,000 L. Inventories of wild berries on the landscape suggest that substantial quantities could be collected for commercial production, although the between-year supply can show considerable variation.

Topics

First Nations

Active Link

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/440163178

Group

Humanities Bibliography

Citation Key23655

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