Medicine Walk and Bears!

The other day, I ticked off another box on my list of things I didn't do when I was here last time. I went on the medicine walk with Marcella Williams, the guide. I've gotten to know Marcella a bit and always enjoy talking with her. She has even agreed to be one of the voices in a significant artwork I am working on. More on that another time. But I had not managed to make it on her medicine walk. Here is the description on the Parks Canada website: 

How did the Mi’kmaw ancestors and other peoples survive on the land? What did they eat? How did they heal? Learn about traditional foods and medicines, as well as how and when they were harvested and used. Take a walk with an Interpreter who will share stories about the past and talk about the plants around you.

If you are ever in Gros Morne, I recommend taking the time to do the medicine walk. Marcella is very knowledgeable and her stories are highly entertaining. 

Even the dog was listening intently.

Here, Marcella is explaining medicinal uses for plantain.

One of the things that I really appreciated was Marcella's observations about the changes in the flora in recent years. For example, this year, the berry seasons were out of whack. Berries that should be just coming in now are finished already and some of the seasons were very short. When the seasons are too short (because it is too warm), the berries are smaller and less nutritious than when they mature over a typical season. She mentioned other examples of the effects of climate change on the vegetation.

Bears!

Some people are wondering if the messed-up berry seasons is one of the reasons that bears have been visiting houses in Curzon Village (Woody Point) in recent days. There is a mother and her two cubs that have been feasting on the apples in and around residents' apple trees. One of my friends, who hasn't seen the bears herself, has a house where there have been multiple sightings in the yard and on her deck. One time, she couldn't leave her driveway because so many people had stopped their cars to look at the bears. This is a situation of great concern. You can listen to a CBC story here. 

And Mom and Dad, don't worry. I am staying safe!