Plant Relatives: Indigenous Herbalism

In this class that connects native plants to Indigenous herbalism, we’ll visit several plants native to our region and explore how many Indigenous communities have developed deep relationships with these species through careful observation and lived experience.

Using a guided observation journal, you’ll practice plant listening: slowing down to notice each plant’s unique characteristics and consider how its form, habitat, and behaviors connect to its traditional uses. Along the way, you’ll learn stories that illustrate these relationships, such as why Echinacea is known by some Indigenous Nations as Elk Root, reflecting observations of elk seeking out the plant when injured or ill.

This class invites you to engage with plants through curiosity, respect, and a deeper appreciation for the knowledge that has been cultivated by Indigenous peoples over countless generations.