Chaga Picking & Identification with Elder Mark Eshkawkogan

Watch and listen, as Elder Mark Eshkawkogan shares stories of growing up in Wiky, and how there 'was no hospital' back then.  People relied on the elders and their traditional medicinal knowledge from the land.  He makes it clear that the land provides all that we need as humans to live, but that it is important to keep a positive mental attitude and spirits.    

While out in the bush looking for morels, he shares his traditional medicinal wisdom and knowledge, in both English and Anishinawbemowin, about the chaga mushroom in the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, on Mnidoo Mnissing (Manitoulin Island).   Mark is well known in the community of Wikwemikong as a champion and promoter of the Anishinawbemowin language and culture, for his extensive traditional knowledge of the land, and for being a great storyteller.  He describes, in both languages (English and Ojibwe), where to find the chaga mushroom, how to pick it sustainably, and how drinking the chaga tea will "boost your immune system".

Mark explains the different types of chaga mushroom that exists, and which trees to find them on (white birch, yellow birch, ironwood, and cherry tree).  He explains the importance of leaving roughly 10 to 20 percent of the chaga on the tree, so that it will continue to grow and provide for future harvesters, as well as the fact that over harvesting can kill the entire tree.  So it's important to only take what you need, and maintain sustainable harvesting.  He explains the importance of only taking what you need, and how as Native people, we always give back; to ensure that our future generations will have access to these medicines as our ancestors did.

Aho Miigwetch!

Title photo credit: Tomas Cekenavicius 

Music:  "Valley Drive" by The Whole Other