Research reveals First Nations cultivated beaked hazelnuts across vast territories

In British Columbia, Canada, research has revealed the extensive cultivation of beaked hazelnuts by First Nations peoples. Chelsea Geralda Armstrong from Simon Fraser University led an investigation into the genetic history of these wild foods, which are native to North America. This study was motivated by oral traditions emphasizing their importance as a food source for Indigenous ancestors. Armstrong's team collected samples from over 200 hazelnuts found near archaeological sites across a wide area, establishing that these nuts have been cultivated across territories spanning up to 800 kilometers (500 miles). This research challenges the perception of these lands as untouched wilderness and confirms that they were actively managed by Indigenous tribes. As a result, Indigenous rights advocate Jack Woodward plans to utilize this research in future legal arguments, asserting that these lands maintain Aboriginal title due to their historical cultivation. The implications of Armstrong's findings contribute to the broader Land Back movement, which seeks to reclaim rights and stewardship of ancestral lands by Indigenous peoples in Canada. By documenting the active role of First Nations in managing their environment, this work underscores the deep connections between Indigenous cultures and their landscapes.