DECOLONIZING THE LAND TEACHING LUSHOOTSEED NAMES FOR PLANTS

ALEXANDER CLARK TO RECLAIM PLACE AND RECONNECT WITH

NATURE

Context
In 1851, the Denny Party landed at Alki. This was the be-
Abstract
Colonialism and globalized capitalism have created a civilization divorced
Methodology
ginning of the colonial history of the Seattle area. Within 4 from nature and disconnected from place. These forces have also worked
Literature Review
Essential to my project is the idea that indigenous
years, the Point Elliott Treaty was signed which established to undermine and destroy Indigenous cultures and languages in pursuit of
knowledge of, and language for, plants and place are
the first reservations and began the process of native era- control over land and resources. I created a campus walking tour to teach
what is needed to be able to truly connect with the land.
sure in the region. Those first few years saw all of the long- the Lushootseed names for the plants as an act of decolonization, as well
In order to navigate the need for academically rigorous
houses around Seattle were burned by white settlers. Since as a way to support and honor the Indigenous people of the Puget Sound.
work that the university calls for, while keeping the
the early history of Seattle, the indigenous people have Through research and sitting with elders, I compiled a list of important plants,
spirit and respect for indigenous knowledge part of my
been forced off of land, brutalized, and had their culture their Lushootseed names, and their traditional uses. I used the list to make a
project, I decided to strike a balance between these two
and ways of life made illegal. It was not until 1978 with the foldable map with plant names and photos to be used by people on the tour.
different, but equally valuable ways of knowing. I have
passing of the American Indian Religious Freedom Act that The goal of the project is to teach the local community about the plants in
decided to root my understanding of my projects context
the natives were finally able to practice their faith. order to reestablish a connection to nature and the people of this land.
in a literature review looking at capitalism, globalization,
decolonization, human-nature relationship, and language
The dxdwab (Duwamish), meaning the people of the
revitalization.
Inside, have lived in what we call Seattle since time imme-
morial. They had lived with the animals and plants of this
land in sustainable harmony until settlement interrupted Story Telling/Oral Knowledge
their way of life. The Duwamish speak Lushootseed, a Coast When approaching the decolonizing work, I had to think
Salish language. They have names for all of the plants, an- really hard about what were the best methods in order
imals, and land features. Their language is descriptive and to gather the knowledge I needed to be effective. This
helps to explain who, where, and what we are while in is where I ran into a problem, one that presents a major
this land. The Lushootseed name for Seattle is dzidzlalic, barrier to decolonizing within an academic, university
meaning the place that shakes. We renamed the city to setting. That problem is one of epistemology and respect
a name that does not explain the place. We also renamed for different ways of knowing. Traditional, indigenous
tquma (Tacoma), meaning dont forget the water, to knowledge is not written, but shared orally, either
Mount Rainier. This renaming has been an ongoing process through stories or songs. There is less emphasis on facts
of erasing indigenous people from the land. and figures, and more of a focus on meaning, spirit, and
the lessons derived from stories and teachings. As a
This history of occupation is where we find ourselves today. result, my project is rooted in the cultural and ecological
We are in a place that has had its roots severed. By erasing knowledge that has passed to me orally. I plan to share
the native culture and people from the land, we have creat- this knowledge in the same fashion, orally on a walking
ed a land where everyone is disconnected from place. tour.

Plant Walks
In order to build my own relationships with the plants, I

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spent a good amount of time walking and being around
the plants that I am going to teach. This is essentially
what I hope to foster with my work: a healthy, respectful,
Key relationship with our plant relatives and teachers. By
1 Start
1. Burke Museum Map Credit: The Salish Sea Map Deborah Reade
interacting with the plants, either by learning them,
sxdabs - Camassia quamash touching them, eating them, we can begin to form those
E.
ST

relationships. Just like how we will fight for those we love

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EN

2 3 2. Parrington Lawn
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and hold dear, the same can be said about relationships

MEMORIAL WAY NE

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PARRINGTON cuac - Acer macrophyllum

UNIVERSITY WAY NE

with plants. If we are to feel empathy and fight for the

BROOKLYN AVENUE

LAWN
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3. Denny Hall
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environment, we need to have a relationship with it.

AD
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cbidac - Psuedotsuga menziesii

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6
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Example Plant
LAKE

7 4. wbaltx (Intellectual House)

MONT

RED
aq - Rubus parviflorus
SQUARE
8
5. Burke Gilman Trail
qdiqac - Populus trichocarpa xpayc - Thuja plicata
BU
RK
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bubxd - Equisitum telmateia This is arguably the most important plant to
6. Stairs to HUB the Coast Salish people. This is their tree of life,
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AN

RA DRUMHELLER
T

IL FOUNTAIN

gadbix - Rubus ursinus providing everything they could need. From the
RAINIER
VISTA
7. HUB Lawn bark they make hats, baskets, mats, and clothes.
s.tgad - Rubus spectabilis From the wood they make their longhouses,
IL
TRA

t aqa - Gaultheria shallon

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canoes, utensils, oars, planks, shingles, and baby
GIL

PA
C IF
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IC Mount Tahoma
xpayc - Thuja plicata
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boards. From the limbs and roots baskets and

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8. Mary Gates ropes are made. The leaves and buds provide
Mount tquma medicine. This tree is also where the Coast Salish
N get their greeting of raising their hands to each
E BAY LAKE
Large conifer with branches that droop other in respect and gratitude. If you look at
WASHINGTON
and then turn back up (J-shaped), broad the top of the tree, despite giving everything to
crowns. the humans without asking for anything, all the
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Height: 100-230 feet (30-70 meters). tree does is lift its hand in thanks to the Creator,
I want to thank all of the teachers I have been honored with being able
MONTLAKE CUT
Leaves evergreen. Bark is 1-2 cm thick, a relationship to nature and resources that is
to learn from and work with: gray to reddish brown and tears off in mirrored in the culture of the Coast Salish.
Ian Barlow, Michael Hanson, Cynthia Updegrave, Bruce Miller, Roger long fibrous strips
Fernandez, Paul Che oke ten Wagner, Warren Kinggeorge, Mary Oliver,
Philip Redeagle, Chris Campbell, Kelly Hostetler, and more.