Blueberry
Gwichya Gwich'in Name:
jàk zheii
Teetł’it Gwich’in Name::
jak zheii or jak nalyuu
Latin Name:
Vaccinium uliginosum
As food
Blueberries are tasty and can be eaten as is or used in jams, pies, muffins, and it’suh, a Gwich’in dessert made from pounded dry fish. As a medicinal tea, the stems and leaves of the blueberry plant can be boiled and taken for cold symptoms.
Source: Andre, Alestine and Alan Fehr, Gwich'in Ethnobotany, 2nd ed. (2002)
As medicine
The blueberry plant is excellent for people who are diabetic or have heart problems. They can eat the berries and make teas from the plant. The stems and leaves of the plant are used to make the tea. The blueberries can be picked, dried and eaten like raisins during the winter.
Source: Andre, Alestine, Nan t'aih nakwits'inahtsìh (The Land Gives Us Strength) (2006)
Unripe Blueberries:
- Gwichya Gwich'in Name: anłuh
- Teetł'it Gwich'in Name: jak naaluu or inłuh
Ripe blueberries:
- Gwichya Gwich'in Name: dindèzri’
- Teetł'it Gwich'in Name: dindèzrii
