Utqiaġvik residents explore local edible and medicinal plants

Several Utqiaġvik residents explored the local edible and medicinal plants last week when Iḷisaġvik College instructor MaryJane Litchard hosted a two-day traditional plant workshop on a windy day.

“The folks who came were all excited about learning something new,” Litchard said.

On the first day, participants joined for a walk to collect the plants. Litchard showed them that the bottom part of cotton grass is edible and taught them how to prepare mountain sorrel, tiny coltsfoot, stinkweed, Saxifraga and willow. The next day, participants made salves from medicinal coltsfoot, willow branches, dandelion and chickweed, said Litchard, who worked during the camp session this summer.

“Participants walked on the nuna to pick a variety of edible and medicinal greens, learned how to make willow water, and learned how to make a healing salve used for skin conditions and pain,” Ilisagvik College staff said in a Facebook post.

Elder Edith Nageak, 77, attended the workshop full of excitement. She said she was eager to relearn what she was taught as a child and loved seeing younger participants learn about traditional plants — especially a girl of about 6 years old.

“It’s an excellent time for little girls to listen. They learn easy,” Nageak said. “This class will stay in the little girl’s mind.”

Nageak expressed her hope for Litchard to come back to Utqiaġvik to hold more workshops for school students and host multi-day camps for full immersion.

“That really made me think we have to start talking about these things to our grandchildren, little girls and boys,” she said. “They really have to know the edible plants, and the medicinal plants, and the plants they cannot touch. ... I want young people to learn what’s good out there in our land, share it with the younger generation, so that it won’t die away.”

Iḷisaġvik College has a Community Outreach program, supported by USDA NIFA grants, which offers learning opportunities in such Alaska Native cultural subjects as crafting, sewing, wellness and cooking, said Frieda Tiġiġluk Nageak, spokeswoman for the college.

“Part of Iḷisaġvik’s mission is to serve our communities with lifelong learning, and community classes and workshops like the medicinal and edible plant workshop that happened in July 2024 are a way for our communities to connect and learn useful and interesting skills in a short, educational format,” Nageak said. “The program provides low-stakes but highly education workshops that encourage collaboration, curiosity and sharing valuable knowledge.”

Community members who have an idea for a workshop or want to learn more about the program can contact Frieda Nageak at frieda.nageak@ilisagvik.edu.