The edges of the valley were now adorned by the flowers of the tree they called the Saskatoon (1), the blooms of which stood out against the otherwise gray and brown forest still lacking the green of spring. The Nubbins prepared to celebrate the flowers, for this small tree was a vital part of their culture. The berries, which would follow the blooms in the month following, were a mainstay of their diet, and were once used in trade with native tribes of the region. The berries have a pear-like flavor and can be dried and held for long periods of time. They are often mashed with akarn flour and made into muffins. The inner bark is used in medicinal preparations, and the wood, being very hard, is used to make handles for their tools.As was the custom on this joyous day, Atnas and the elders met near the oldest of these trees and here they chanted a Saskatoon verse, which translates as follows:
The great and generous Saskatoon has awakened from its sleep.
The flowers, a treasure we now see, a celebration of life to keep.
The day will come when they will wilt, but fruit will follow we all do know.
A berry so sweet, a joy to eat, a blessed gift we hold it so.
Your wood provides the makings of our tools.
They who fail in honor of thee are simply fools.
May our presence on this day be knowledge of how deep,
The greatness of your being in our hearts and soul we keep.
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(1) The small tree described here is obviously what we call the shadbush (Amelanchier sp.) Named shadbush because its blooming coincides with the running of shad in the rivers, it is also called serviceberry by some. It is interesting that the Nubbins call the tree Saskatoon, as this is the name for the tree and berry in the Canadian Province of Saskatchewan. Saskatoon is said to be derived from native Americans, who also highly regarded this tree and the use of its berries.
(1) The small tree described here is obviously what we call the shadbush (Amelanchier sp.) Named shadbush because its blooming coincides with the running of shad in the rivers, it is also called serviceberry by some. It is interesting that the Nubbins call the tree Saskatoon, as this is the name for the tree and berry in the Canadian Province of Saskatchewan. Saskatoon is said to be derived from native Americans, who also highly regarded this tree and the use of its berries.
Photo by Walter Siegmund (Own work) [GFDL (www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
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