Indigenous history of Stanley Park on display with seasonal tour

The Stanley Park Ecology Society is offering visitors Indigenous-led walking tours during August to explore the traditional uses of local plants.

"Our people have an abundance of knowledge naturally that hasn't been tapped into yet for the well-being of all us, and when done respectfully, it could quite mutually be beneficial," said Lauraleigh Paul, also known as Yuxweluptun' aat.

The Coast Salish, Interior Salish, and Carrier First Nations woman is the environmental educator with the society and will host the tours.

She says there are many places in the park which retain their Indigenous history such as the beaches, which were cleared to allow for canoes to be launched from the shore.

The park itself is also the home of many former Indigenous villages, which had trails that led to fresh water and the best gathering and harvesting spaces for seafood.

Paul said the park is home to important plants for her ancestors, such as frog leaf.

"It has a multifunctional type of medicine," Paul explained. "It is a great after-bite remedy, whether it be mosquitos, spider bites as well as being used as a band-aid, an anti-septic, as well as [for] the cleaning of wounds."

Paul also distinguishes between plants that are native to the park versus those that have been introduced.

There is plenty of Himalayan blackberry that has been introduced into the park, she said, but its cousin — the Indigenous or trail blackberry — is sweeter and more flavourful, although harder to come by.

But Paul says that the tours are to appreciate the flora, not to collect it. 

"You are not allowed to forage or gather and harvest in any public park spaces, but we are surrounded by pristine wilderness in every direction, so you have every opportunity to nurture yourself with nature."

Visitors interested in signing up for a tour can do so by contacting the Stanley Park Ecology Society.

With files from Margaret Gallagher.