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Fall is often thought of as harvest time, but the Statim, Nehiyaw and mixed-European Metro Vancouver gardener says it's the perfect time to plant native plants.
“The soil is still warm from the summer and then it rains, so it's a nice, easy transition for the plant,” said Sheila Chalifoux, who is part of the Sekw'el'was community, also known as the Cayoose Creek Band.
Chalifouxx is the founder of Shaylish Plants and works to indigenize plant spaces in British Columbia, including native plants, while sub-consulting landscape architects, municipalities and organizations, and through speaking engagements and workshops.
Most people consider spring planting season, but Chalifoux says many native plants prefer fall, such as oregano and camas bulbs.
Sweetgrass, used for fumigation and ceremonies, grows near rivers, lake shores and wet meadows. Chalifoux said it is often associated with the plains and is also considered a native plant in British Columbia.
“There were some stories that people thought about back in the day when people from the plains came here and traded it with the people, taught some of the local communities how to grow it,” Chalifoux said.
Camas lamps are a carbohydrate source comparable to sweet potatoes and are considered a traditional food source for several indigenous peoples, including Kuvutsun Nation And Songis Nation.
“Some ucwalmícwpeoples to the territory of Statim would actually descend to Washington [state] dig up these bulbs and bring them back to eat,” Chalifoux said.
“In the horticultural industry that I work in, I haven't seen a lot of native plants being prioritized, and I definitely haven't seen a lot of indigenous knowledge,” Chalifoux said.
“A lot of people in the industry are just looking for looks and looking for people; they don’t take into account all the other relationships we have.”
British Columbia leads the world in plant biodiversity
According to province of British ColumbiaBritish Columbia's plant biodiversity is unmatched in Canada, with at least 2,500 native species of vascular plants, as well as thousands of lichens, mosses and fungi.
People can help support the land by planting native plants in pots on their balconies and gardens, Chalifoux said.
“Why would you plant a native plant here? Is it because the host countries have a relationship with it, or this particular plant is a host plant for a larva, a native butterfly, that only needs to feed on this plant to survive,” Chalifoux said.
“The earth is suffering. One way to help the earth is to grow native plants.”
Chalifoux said that while the situation is changing, not many municipalities have policies that ensure a certain percentage of native plants are included in the urban landscape.
CBC Indigenous asked the City of Vancouver if it has any rules regarding the number of native plants that must be planted as part of city planning.
A City of Vancouver spokesperson said in a statement that the Vancouver Parks and Recreation Board is working to increase the number of native plants in urban spaces and is considering a number of factors in planning, including maintenance, sustainability and canopy, and consulting with local First Nations.
“A prime example of this is the addition of the Pacific yew to the Stanley Park restoration initiative following feedback from local First Nations,” the statement said.
The city said it has also provided native plants for ecological restoration of Vancouver parks to non-profit and community groups that host community planting events.
