10 Dec Indigenous peoples engineered BC’s modern hazelnut forests
A study led by Chelsey Geralda Armstrong from Simon Fraser University reveals how ancestral Indigenous peoples actively cultivated and traded beaked hazelnut (Corylus cornuta) across British Columbia, challenging colonial misconceptions of untouched landscapes. Using genetic analysis and oral traditions, the research highlights Indigenous stewardship over 7,000 years, demonstrating hazelnut transplantation and management that enhanced genetic diversity. The findings, including evidence of trade networks and linguistic links, affirm the deep environmental knowledge of Indigenous peoples. This work supports Indigenous land claims and underscores how reconnecting with traditional practices can address contemporary challenges like food security and environmental sustainability.
