Indigenous Plants of Saskatchewan

Blueberries

Northern blueberries native to Saskatchewan are commonly found around Meadow Lake and other areas with slightly acidic soil. They pop up around August and you can find bushes from 12 to 24 inches tall.

Historically, Indigenous families would travel far and wide to find their blueberry picking areas. Nowadays, there are local blueberry fields and farms where you can pick your own!

Blueberries are some of the most nutritious berries out there! Blueberries are packed with fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, and manganese. Blueberries picked from the wild also tend to be higher in antioxidants than store-bought blueberries.

The roots, stems, leaves, and flowers from blueberry plants have also been traditionally used in various preparations. One of these is a relaxing tea that can be sipped during labor and childbirth. You can try an iced blueberry tea at the Waters Edge Eco Lodge on your next visit.

Chaga

Chaga, called pōsākan in Cree, is a type of mushroom that grows high up on birch trees. It has a dark charcoal-like outside and warm burnt orange colour on the inside. Chaga is well-known as a traditional medicine in Indigenous communities, especially as an overall health booster.

Chaga has natural anti-inflammatory properties as well as the ability to lower blood sugar. The fungus is also known for lowering cholesterol, along with protecting against cancer and heart disease.

If you find chaga, you can make your own tea or skip the foraging buy it as a supplement. Just remember, if you harvest local plants, make sure you leave some in the area to grow back for the next season.

Juniper

Found in light, rocky soil, juniper is one of many evergreen species found in Saskatchewan. Juniper is actually part of the cypress family and you can spot it by looking for a scraggly bush with green to blue-ish leaves.

Female juniper plants produce berries, called juniper berries, which make for a tart treat. You can also do much more than just eat them plain — you can add juniper berries to drinks, marinades, and spice rubs for a boost of flavor and added health benefits.

Juniper berries are high in vitamin C, like most berries, and can protect against yeast infections. Essential oils made from juniper also have antioxidant and antifungal properties.

Muskeg

Muskeg has a special place in Cree culture. The word for muskeg, kâkikêpakwa, means “forever leaves” in Cree. This is because the plant’s leaves never all die at once. This makes the plant especially valuable because it can be harvested in any season.

Muskeg has been used for centuries as a medicinal plant for treating coughs, chest and kidney conditions, headaches, diarrhea, sore throats and more. Canada has more muskeg than any other country in the world because of its natural landscape.

The muskeg plant has many other names, including labrador tea, bog labrador tea, marsh rosemary, and Hudson’s Bay tea. It’s usually made as a tea, which you can try at the Waters Edge Eco Lodge restaurant!

Raspberries

There are multiple varieties of wild raspberries that you can find in Saskatchewan. These include the Red raspberry (Rubus idaeus), Arctic raspberry (Rubus arcticus) and Trailing raspberry (Rubus pubescens). The red raspberry is the most common type found in Saskatchewan.

Raspberries are known for being tasty, but they’re also full of nutrients such as fiber, vitamin C, B-vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and potassium. Just a couple handfuls of raspberries will help you meet your vitamin C needs for the day!

If you want to find wild raspberries in Saskatchewan, make sure to visit at the height of berry season, from July to early September. Otherwise, you can usually find raspberries at your local grocer either fresh or frozen.