Cedar Trees in a Spiritual Context

From NarratingLandscapes

Cedar trees, for thousands of years, have been marked as a tree which has played a pivotal role in many, if not all, aspects of life (culturally, socially, and spiritually) for aboriginal peoples. Commonly referred to as the “tree of life”, both Yellow and Western Red –cedars were of the greatest value to the Aboriginal people of the northwest coast of North America and were praised by many as “the perfect substance for all material and aesthetic needs” (Sryd and Feddema 1998). Utilizing each and every part of the cedar tree, aboriginal people of the coast were careful not to destroy the trees by taking just enough resources so that the tree could continue to grow and further provide for the community. Spiritually, cedar trees also played an important role in the lives and beliefs of the west coast’s indigenous population. In this short entry, I would like to further explore the histories of cedar trees with an emphasis on their spiritual value to aboriginal peoples of the west coast.

As mentioned earlier, First Nations people depended on the cedar tree to provide them with many of the necessities for living. When choosing a tree to fell, careful consideration was given to ensure that the chosen tree was suited for its intended purpose. As cedars are very large trees, the felling process involved a great deal of effort on the part of the community. It often took many people and several days to accomplish the task. One of the great concerns when felling a tree was where and how the giant tree would come down. Given the size of the trees, this could not be left to chance and natives would enlist the help of their spirits to guide them.

As an example, before choosing a tree to be “aborigionally-logged” canoe makers, among other indigenous craftsmen using the tree’s components for houses, totem poles, fence posts and so on, would “ritually fast and pray that they would select the right tree” (Stryd and Feddema 1998, 9). They would also pray to the spirit of the tree, asking that it fall in the right direction (Stryd and Feddema 1998, 9). Once a tree had been logged, the canoe carver would say a prayer to the tree and perform cedar bough cleansing, both before it was moved and before any carving of the tree took place (Jamestown 2008, 1). The cedar tree was such an important commodity to the native people, that cedar trees had their own spiritual songs to guard them. Canoe makers were chosen because they had a special, mystical relationship with cedar trees, often dreaming about them and talking with them.

Cedar trees were not only highly valued for their many practical uses in indigenous life, but also for their spiritual role in the community. Cedar trees were believed to possess a soul and power, just as humans and animals. Seeming as though it was growing through a hole in the sky, the cedar “was thought to be the axis of the world and the pathway to the upper world” (Fournier 2002, 1). The importance of the cedar to aboriginal life is apparent in the traditional smudge ceremonies where special herbs are burned to bring focus and spiritual purification of the body and soul. Prayers and rituals were essential components of the ceremony and, cedar trees, especially their boughs, were mainly used for protection and purification. Branches could be lightly brushed over the body of a tribal member in need of spiritual and mental cleansing (Mapes 2002, 1). Before gathering together, the Coast Salish natives often waved fresh green cedar branches in the air to dispel bad feelings that could get in the way of their time together (Mapes 2002, 1).

Cedars can live to more than 1000 years, and for First Nations, the cedar is more than just a tree. As Fran James, a Lummi tribal elder, points out, “It is a general store, a place of worship and an integral part of sacred ceremonies” (Mapes 2002, 1). For her son, Bill James, cedar is not only “a delight to carve or weave; water, rot and insect resistant; fragrant and beautiful…It is life” (Mapes 2002, 1).

By providing not only transportation, shelter, clothing, tools and so much more, it is clear to see the spiritual importance of cedar trees in First Nation communities. This exceptional tree has, historically, been fully incorporated into every aspect of indigenous life on the west coast of North America. Colonization and industrialization slowly changed some of the traditional methods of harvesting and using the cedar tree, but it is clear that Native First Peoples are taking a stand and incorporating traditional culture back into their everyday lives. “‘We go to the mountains just to smell the trees, feel the trees, to wake up and be alive’”, says Fran James of the Cedar groves, which are places of spiritual renewal and contemplation (Mapes 2002, 1). Jewell comments on behalf of many First Nations tribes that cedar is becoming harder and harder to find as monoculture forests increasingly dominate the landscape. With the not so desired second growth forests replacing the old growth, it is becoming more difficult for the spirit societies of native communities to obtain access to pristine old growth cedar stands for visioning, bathing and ceremonies (Mapes 2002, 1).

Reference

Fournier, J.T. 2002. Showcasing the Best of Canadian Aboriginal Art. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada . <www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca>.

Mapes, L.V. 2002. Venerable, versatile cedar is generous with its many gifts. The Seattle Times. <http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com>.

Stryd, A. H. and Vikki Feddema. 1998. Sacred Cedar: The Cultural and Archaeological Significance of Culturally Modified Trees. <http://www.davidsuzuki.org>.

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