Harvesting Birch Bark to Make Baskets: A Master Class

Paper birch trees are a very common tree that does not receive the praise and respect that it deserves. Playing an important ecological role, the birch tree has incredible medicinal capacities that are utilized by those who know about them. However, the secrets of the birch tree are still unknown to many and thankfully members of GLIFWC and I had the opportunity to learn about birch trees first hand with Pat Kruse, a member of the Red Cliff Band in northern Wisconsin and birch bark aficionado.

Buggin’ out up north

As my summer project continues to become more defined, I have had the amazing opportunity to travel to northern Wisconsin to help the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC) Climate Change Program conduct phenology studies in the dense mixed forest landscapes. These outings entail a day out in the field walking through the stands of cedars and basswoods, as well as clouds of mosquitoes. Despite making thousand of new bug and tree friends, I was able to also better connect with my project supervisors which was a great experience and has led to a better project overall.

Indigenous Communities Coming Together To Fight Climate Change

Meeting new people has been a rare occurrence since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. So, when given the opportunity to attend the Voigt Inter-Tribal Task Force Committee meeting in Mashkiiziibii (Bad River), Wisconsin, I jumped at the chance to get out of Madison and meet the people that I would be working with over the summer. However, I forgot what it was like to meet new people and need to relearn how to say ‘boozhoo’ which will definitely be incorporated into my summer project!