Cedar and Culturally Modified Trees (CMTs)

November 01, 2018

Cedar and Culturally Modified Trees (CMTs)

Cedar is very special to us. After all Carol is a Cedarholm – Swedish for island of cedar. So we have reveled in our travels among the first nations of the northwest BC coast, for whom cedar is also very special. Visiting the beautiful Squamish-Lil’wat Cultural Centre/Museum in Whistler BC (about 2 hours north of Vancouver) we were not surprised to learn more about the importance of cedar. What was surprising, however, was to find this First Nations gem right in the heart of one of the top ten tourist and ski destinations in the world. Who knew?

Whistler lies within an area in which the territories of two First Nations overlap. In 1997, the Lil’wat Nation began negotiations with the resort municipality of Whistler about creating a cultural centre. Lil’wat reached out to the Squamish and the two nations signed an agreement to cooperate in developing and operating the centre. It opened in 2008, in time for the 2010 Winter Olympics which took place in Whistler and Vancouver. In 2017, in furtherance of the national reconciliation process between Canadians and First Nations peoples, a Master Development Agreement was signed between the two First Nations and Whistler committing Whistler to providing their people with economic, social, educational and recreational support and opportunities.

Cedar is sacred to first nations of the northwest coast because it is used and revered in almost all aspects of their lives, both materially and spiritually. Cedar roots can be selectively harvested without harming the tree and used for watertight baskets and hats. Cedar bark is taken off in a long strip from one side of the tree and used for mats, clothing, blankets, hats, and ropes. Yellow cedar bark, which is softer and has good absorbent qualities, can be made into baby diapers, bedding, sanitary napkins and towels. The trees can also be used for ceremonial masks, canoes, housing, and totem poles. Bentwood boxes are especially ingenious and unique to the northwest. They are made from a single cedar plank after three grooves are carved and then bent using steam to form the 4 sides. The fourth corner is pegged closed, a base attached and a lid carved to fit. They can be waterproof, used for cooking and storage. Many are beautifully decorated works of art. They are amazing.

The First Nations, in harvesting the trees for bark and roots, introduced a new concept to us. Trees with bark or roots selectively taken are designated and sometimes marked and even officially registered, as Culturally Modified Trees (CMTs). These trees are found by the thousands in old-growth forests. What is most interesting is that they are considered important heritage sites by archaeologists – part of the archives of ancient peoples - and in fact are protected by law in some cases (not allowed to be logged). And native peoples continue today to create new CMTs for cultural and economic purposes, using culturally sustainable methods.