DEBORAH JACOBS (foreground), education coordinator for the Squamish band, poses with a handmade NEWS photo Paul McGrath cradle made from cedar root. Squamish elders and language teachers recently participated in a cultural program in which native students made articles from cedar bark including baskets, capes, hats and balers. Pictured in the background are (left to right): Valerie Moody and Roy Baker, language teachers, and Siyam Lawrence Baker. Cedar tradition passed on From page 18 the inner bark and soak it. Then you can beat it to make it softer, with a round tool, We (recently) used a fish beater,”’ she says with a laugh. In a recent cultural and language program, young Squamish stu- dents went out to Haney with ei- ders to learn about stripping cedar bark. ‘‘They took 80-foot strips off the trees,” says Valerie Moody, a Squamish language in- structor involved in the program which also had highschool students making baskets, dance capes, headbands, hats and balers from the bark, reviving ancient skills and at the same time learning pa- tience and hard werk. According to Deborah Jacobs, educational coordinator, the pro- gram is part of a longterm plan to increase language fluency in the band through culturally based ac- tivities and to adopt a community based perspective in which elders and band members work with stu- dents. - Siyam Guss is currently working on a series of seven Big books for Old cedar passed over From page 17 tections to the tree, consult the Hiking Guide to the Big Trees of Southwestern British Columbia. If, as you trudge through the forest, there is any doubt in your mind as to the magnificence of the Headwaters cedar it will quickly disappear once the tree is in view. You will be utterly amazed at this specimen hidden among the second growth hemlock of Fromme Mountain. Besides its massive size, the tree is remarkably graceful, with candelabra-like limbs emerging from its sides, deep, curving furrows, and distinctive burls. Because of its age, the tree has de- veloped two crowns, which give it a forked shape at the top. The tex- tures and patterns of the bark and the unusual shapes of the old growth trees make up part of their beauty. While at the tree, practise wilderness ethics both to protect the tree and to ensure others enjoy the site in its wild state. Besides the obvious advice of packing out your garbage, do not pick at, carve, or use by native language teachers, documenting the life of the Mother Tree, the cedar -- ‘It tells about her life in the forest, what happens when she’s cut down, going down the river, and in the end when she’s the walls of a house.’* The books will be translated from English into the Squamish lan- guage. For a comprehensive study of Nor- thwest Coast Native Indian uses of the cedar consult Hilary Stewart's book Cedar, available at public libraries. by loggers peel the bark. Avoid trampling the ground around the cedar since compacted soil can damage the roots and affect the flow of groundwater, Lighting is minimal at the site since the tree grows on an east slope, so morning or early after- noon would probably be the best time for photographs. Unfortu- nately, small instamatic cameras do not successfully capture the grandeur of the tree, but rest assured that your memory will not fail you in this respect. Alpine Gardening Club holds sale DON'T KNOW your Auriculas from a hole in the ground? Vancouver gardeners will have the chance to find out the difference when the Alpine Gardening Club of B.C. holds its spring ptant sale on Sunday, May 6. Frank Dorsey, chairman of this year’s sale, says club members are aware that many gardeners are ner- vous about buying unfamiliar plants. “This year we're doing something about it,”" Dorsey. *‘Our members are mounting a special display of plants in bloom at this time of the year. “Many of the plants on show will be alpines, so other gardeners will be able to see just how beautiful they are. As well, there'll be pleniv of members on hand to give gardening Gps. Chis is a particularly valuable service for gardeners with problems such as damp areas or parts of the garden which are always in shade. “At the show they'll be able to get the best possible advice on what plants to buy, when to plant them and how to care for them. And that’s on top of being able to see what they can look forward to from plants they purchase at the sale.” say's and 5 p.m. The spring sale is held at RecCentre William Grif- fin, 851 W. Queens Rd., North Vancouver, between 2 The club, with more than 600 members, is one of the largest of its type in Canada, It holds a spring and fall sale each year, with sale proceeds going to support Van Dusen and other botanical gardens, Club to sell hard-to-find fuchsias ON SATURDAY, May 5th, from 1:30 to 3 p.m., the B.C. Fuchsia and Begonia Society will hold a plant sale of hard-to-find fuchsia, begonia and geranium and many other plants and gardening items. The flowers are grown by com- mercial growers and hobby grow- ers. Refreshments will be available and will be served in the lower hall at Windsor United Church, 4720 Elgin Street in Vancouver, where the sale will be held. For information phone Jim Cooper at 435-0205, or on the North Shore, Lorna Herchenson at 929-5382. 19 - Friday, April 27, 1990 - North Shore News BACK FOR THE GARDENING SEASON B.C’s best quality — OPENING WEEK SPECIALS e Fuchsia Plants 10 varieties 49 oa. ° 10” Hanging Baskets L.99 ea. ¢Mushroom Manure —_21 litres 1.99 nag * Quality Geranium 696 on. GARDEN SHOP at Super Valu I7th & Lonsdale oP" BIG SAVINGS ON:ALL MAYTAGS! | Canada’s No. 1 Preferi24 Washer, Dryer and Dishwasher DEPENDABLE MAYTAG SHERS + Lasts longer needs fewer repairs and costs less to service + Heavy duty « Large capacity « Dependability proven in commercial laundries + All fabric drying + Porcelain o..smel top DEPENDABLE MAYTAG STACKED WASHER/DRYER f + + Full-sized, large capacity washer and dryer « Simple to operate Only 27%" wide DEPENDABLE MAYTAG DISHWASHERS MODEL WUS02 » Nobody gets dishes cleaner DEPENDABLE MAYTAG REFRIGERATORS BUY NOW! WE WILL GUARANTEE IT TO THE YEAR ‘ SEV ANCOUSERS — D- APPLIANCE . 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