Plants of the Homeland: Greenery that has shaped Red River Métis traditions

March 3, 2026

Honouring the plants that nourish, protect, and sustain the Red River Métis way of life

In celebration of World Wildlife Day, the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) is shining a light on some of the most important plants of the Homeland and all the initiatives being taken to protect and conserve our ecosystems.

Red River Métis Citizen Kevin Wasylenko, project coordinator with the Energy, Infrastructure and Resource Management (EIRM) Department, sat down with MMF Spotlight to showcase the plants that make the Homeland rich and diverse, thus enriching the Red River Métis way of life.

Follow along to see some of the Homeland's plant highlights and what makes them stand out!

Manitoba maple

_{Manitoba maple has proven to be an iconic staple in Red River Métis culture.}

The Manitoba maple tree may be known for its iconic maple syrup, but it also serves many other purposes for the Red River Métis.

"Plants have also been intertwined with River Métis culture, specifically on how we use them and the teachings that those plants have given us over generations," said Wasylenko.

When we are not tapping the trees in early February to late March for sap harvesting, the wood of the maple tree has historically been used by the Red River Métis to make fiddles - and, along with other hardwoods such as birch, oak, and elm - aided in the creation of Red River carts. A fast grower and easy to establish, the Manitoba maple stands as a resilient, versatile, and iconic resource woven into Red River Métis history.

Saskatoon

_{A hardy berry shrub cherished for its nutrient richness, Saskatoon berries have sustained Red River Métis families throughout the Homeland.}

Saskatoon berries have long been an essential food source for the Red River Métis - especially through harsh prairie winters. The small, sweet, and flavourful berries can be used in jams, jellies, and pies, but also were a staple ingredient in pemmican alongside Highbush Cranberry and Blueberries.

"[The] berries were used in some of the original recipes for pemmican because it would provide a sweetness that would make pemmican more palatable to eat," said Wasylenko. "[Red River Métis] were able to harvest these types of berries, dry them, and have access to them throughout the winter, when access to food was most difficult."

In all its forms, the Saskatoon berry continues to nourish both the people and the traditions of the Red River Métis.

White spruce

_{Widely adaptable, white spruce is the provincial tree of Manitoba.}

Known as the provincial tree of Manitoba, white spruce has countless uses, and is commonly known for its historical role in traditional wellness practices.

"For the Red River Métis, [white spruce] was commonly used as a means of reducing congestion and flu symptoms. The needles would be collected, they would either make a tea with the needles, or they'd boil water to create a steam bath, and then inhale the vapors as a means of reducing mucus buildup," said Wasylenko.

White spruce has played a part in seasonal food practices as well.

"In the early spring, when the new needles are forming, they would collect the tips from the spruce branches because the new needles are very succulent at this time. They were usually consumed raw for their high nutrient content," said the project coordinator.

Beyond its cultural uses, white spruce remains an important species in environmental conservation. It is used in reforestation efforts across the Homeland, helping restore and support the natural habitat.

Mint

_{Known for its strong fragrance, mint serves as both a culinary staple and a practical tool - historically used by Red River Métis Harvesters and trappers.}

Mint is more than a culinary herb for the Red River Métis, playing an important role in everyday harvesting practices.

"Mint not only was very important when it came to the culinary aspect of being used as flavouring in cooking and teas, but it was actually used as an insect repellent," said Wasylenko. "When [Harvesters] would dry hides and meat, they would dry and crush the mint leaves and then sprinkle it over top of the drying material, because the strong odour that mint produces acts as a natural insect repellant."

Trappers would also use mint when laying trap lines to camouflage their scent.

"They could rub the mint over these traps to conceal human odor so that the traps remained undetectable to wildlife," he said.

Paper birch

_{Valued by the Red River Métis for its ecological benefits, the iconic white, papery bark is what makes the paper birch easily identifiable.}

Known for its beauty and ecological importance, the paper birch was crucial in the production of canoes, and as a hardwood construction material in Red River carts.

You wouldn't plant this tree just anywhere; instead, you should aim to maintain harmony with the natural ecosystem that already exist in a riparian area - which is well suited for paper birch because of its ability to stabilize soil and reduce erosion.

The paper birch also greatly benefits wildlife habitat - especially bird populations and many beneficial fungus species.

Together, the tree's qualities and rich history allow it to shine as a key species in maintaining synergy between landscapes and the Red River Métis Community.

Are you digging what we're planting?

As the MMF continues to Make our Homeland Green Again, EIRM offers programs that further encourage Citizens to put their best ecological foot forward. By participating in Red River Métis stewardships, Citizens can collectively strengthen ecosystems, in turn preserving plants that are intertwined with Red River Métis history and protecting our traditional way of life.

Visit EIRM's webpage to learn more about how you can participate in one of many environmental programs offered to Red River Métis Citizens!

 

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