About C​​edar Baskets and Indigenous medicines

Cedar baskets are significant to First Nations in many parts of coastal British Columbia and further inland. At BCCNM, we are accountable to the Nations upon whose lands we operate, and, as a part of that accountability, we have commissioned baskets from the Nations to serve as a reminder of this.

Siem​​​ Te'ta-in, Sound of Thunder, HDOL, Coast Salish Knowledge Keeper, Honorary Doctorate of Original Laws, serves as a trusted advisor to BCCNM, guiding us in our ongoing commitment to addressing Indigenous-specific racism in B.C.’s health care system. Siem​​​​ Te’ta-in, Coast Salish Knowledge Keeper, reminds us that our work must be rooted in the knowledge and lived experiences of Indige​nous Peoples. Cedar baskets, crafted with love and intention, embody generations of knowledge and cultural tradition. 

Video series featuring Siem​​​​ Te’ta-in, Coast Salish Knowledge Keeper​​​​

​​In 2024, Siem​​​​ Te’ta-in, Coast Salish Knowledge Keeper​,​​ gifted BCCNM with a basket filled with traditional slaxin (medicine) and meaningful objects to help support the wor​​​k of the college. We are honoured to present a series of short videos o​n this page, featuring Siem​​​​ Te’ta-in​ offering deeper insights into the artistry of the basket and the significance of the Indigenous medicines contained within it. A fundamental message shared by Siem​​​​​ Te’ta-in about each medicine and gift within the basket is that although they are based in ancientness, every single one of the items is still used in ceremony and daily life today.​

Videos 1–6

	Medicine basket​ This basket is designed by Siem​​​​ Te’ta-in and his niece Atheana Picha (Kwantlen/Tsartlip) Nations. Each intentionally woven line reflects a unique element of nature, honouring the deep interconnectedness.  Blue represents Water.  Green represents Mother Earth. Red represents Medicines more specifically Tumith (red ocher). Yellow represents daylight and its importance and significance to life.  The basket is 12x12x12 which to him represents the 12 months of the year.   Watch video 1​
	Sweetgrass Sweetgrass is a medicine from the prairies; it carries deep cultural significance. The smoke from the smudge of this medicine carries messages to the spirit world. ​ Watch video 2
	Cedar, sage and fung​​​us powder​ A sacred blend of cedar, sage, and fungus powder, this medicine is used to bring comfort, clarity, peace of mind, and spiritual resilience. Watch video 3
	Scented stick​​ A scented stick, filled with medicinal properties, carries a rich, soothing fragrance when lit that fosters comfort and peace of mind, in the healing journey. Watch video 4
	Willow fungus​​ ​​A sacred medicine, when used as a smudge it will repel negative energy, ensuring protection, balance and overall wellness. Watch video 5 ​
	Tumith (Re​​d Ochre) Doctors would use an oil or a fat to mark the one who is sick with the Tumith.   Mother earth is known as Tummox. First Peoples are Xwalmox. ​Tumith (Red Ochre) Medicine of Mother Earth.​ Watch video 6​

Videos 7–13

	Sage​​ A sacred medicine — Sage, is used as a smudge to help clear the mind and free ourselves of negative energy. It’s revered for its powerful cleansing properties, removing negative energy and helping to clear the mind. Watch video 7​
	Cedar Cedar is a very important medicine to Coast Salish People. One of the most powerful medicines. Cedar holds deep significance and is used in many ways for ceremony, it can be burned as a smudge, it can be used to brush away negative energy, to promote healing and protection. Watch video 8 ​
	Replica of a scalpel tool​​​ A replica of a traditional tool that may have been used by doctors and other people in the past for various purposes, including cutting branches, preparing medicines, and examining materials. Watch video 9​​​​​
	A bowl an​​d spoon created for use at sweatlodge This spoon was created by a relative of Siem​​​​ Te’ta-in to scoop up water to put on the rocks in the sweatlodge to create the steam. Siem​​​​ Te’ta-in then added Tumith to it to give i​​t added medicine. ​ Watch video 10
	A​n antler A section of elk antler, used as a tool for digging roots from the ground. ​ Watch video 11​
	A cedar​​​ string Used for binding in times of i​njury, supporting recovery and serving as a natural aid in healing.​ ​Watch video 12​​

Videos 13–18

​​	A necklace This necklace is create​d by a friend of Siem​​​​ Te’ta-in in honour of Orange Shirt Day, serving as a symbol of remembrance and healing. With 365 ca​refully placed beads, it represents the passage of a year, reminding us of the ongoing commitment to truth, reconciliation, and the recognition of resilienc​e.​ Watch ​video 13​
	A​​ rock Used as an ​​aid to massage and relieve pain. Eases tension in the muscles and promotes relaxation and flexibility.​ Watch video 14
	Salmon fish​​​ leather A tool used by doctors, in a variety of ways, including making bags to hold medicines and to wrap up injuries, similar to a bandage to help with healing treat​ments.​ Watch video 15
	Wo​​ol Carefully prepared and used as a​​​n integral material for weaving ceremonial items such headbands, blankets and shawls. ​ Watch video 16​
	A gifted rock ​​​from India A sacred tool used to call on spirits for guidance and support during the healing process. For doctors and healers, it aides in meditation and grounding before embarking on the healing journey. ​ Watch video 17
	Cloth b​​ag A beautiful cloth bag, designed to hold essential tools, medicines, and materials used by doctors.   Watch video 18 ​​

Videos 19–22

	Cloth bag w​ith lavender  A beautiful clo​​th bag filled with lavender, lavender is another medicine that is used to promote calmness and relaxation. ​ Watch video 19​
	Eagle dow​​​n A sacred item use in ceremony.​ Watch video 20 ​
	Eagle feath​​er Eagle feathers are used in ceremony​​. They are also used in doctoring to help brush away negative energy from human beings that need help or need negative energy removed. ​​ Watch video 21
	A rattle  named Ge​orge A relative of Siem​​​​ Te’ta-in’s made this Cedar rattle, who is named George. It was carefully crafted with few small rocks inside of it. Doctors and ceremonialists use t​his sort of rattle along with a chant when getting ready to perform treatments or ceremonies.​ Watch video 22​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Cedar Basket from Krista Baker from the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation)​

This cedar basket was designed and created by Krista Baker, a First Nations artist from the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation). The cedar was harvested within Krista's traditional territory upholding her cultural protocols and teachings. It features handles wrapped with devil’s club, a medicinal plant often used in teas and salves for its healing and anti-inflammatory properties. When made into beads, devil’s club is used to offer protection from negativity.