This book is dedicated to my Grandparents, Virgil and Annabell Graham.

Chukchansi Elders

Acorn (generic)

Bayin', bayna

Acorns are gathered in the Fall when the acorns fall from the trees. Acorns relieve stomach pains.

I sifted the acorns

'Ewinta' na' bayna

Onion

Sebooya', sebooya'an

Wild onions are harvested in the Spring by creeks.

I cut the onion.

Chishta' na' sebooya'an.

Sourberry

Taxaati', taxaati'in

Sourberries grow on a bush. They are harvested in the Summer. Sourberries are used as a cleanse and for Sourberry Tea.

I harvested sourberries yesterday.

Gobhil na' taxaati'in lagyiw.

Pine Nut

Ton', toona

Pine nuts were used for food and as a security perimeter. The shells were tossed on the ground to sound an alarm. Best to harvest in the Fall.

I'm going to crush the pine nut.

Poye' na' toona.

Soaproot

Soxis, soxsi

The root produces lather for soap and shampoo. The root is also used as a basket brush once dried and cooked it becomes a tool with strong bristles for cleaning. This plant is gathered by digging up the root in the late Spring.

I dug out soaproot.

Way'hil na'soxsi.

Blackroot

Shapaaship, shapaasshipa

Blackroot is gathered in the Spring and prepared for basket making in the Summer. The shaft is dark and used for basket design.

I gathered black roots.

Wayta' na' shapaashipa.

White Root

Hoopuli', hoopuli

White Root is gathered in the Spring and has a white shaft used for basket making. Chukchansi baskets were known to hold water for several days.

There are not many white root plants here.

'Ohom da' galjin hoopul' hew.