May 2013
Volume 47 Issue 5
swədəbš qyuuqs News
Blessing of the Fleet First Salmon Ceremony
Thursday, May 16, 2013 12:00pm Lunch Swinomish Youth Center Blessing to Follow
pedVa?ed (pud-CHA-ud) Moon of the Digging Time
“Much of May is the ‘moon of the digging time,’ because the roots and bulbs of many plants are dug during this moon. Blue camas flowers cover the tended camas fields, whose bulbs provide an important source of starch. Camas bulbs are dug up and steamed between layers of dry grass over hot rocks covered by soil. Some bulbs are eaten and some are made into flour for storage. Camas continues to be harvested into the late fall. At the end of this moon, other plants are ready to harvest—salmonberries, currants, gooseberries, wild onions, elderberries, and thimbleberries. Shellfish harvest and curing continues. Think spring Chinook run is strong during this moon.”—13 Moons: The 13 Lunar Phases, And How They Guide the Swinomish People. S.I.T.C