This is such a beautifully researched piece that manages to weave botanical history with cultural accountability. The way you highlight how white-cedar and redcedar operate as complete ecosystems for Indigenous communities really hammers home that 'Tree of Life' isn't hyperbole, it's utility math. I've been thinkng alot lately about how taxonomy itself becomes a colonizing act when common names erase Indigenous names and knowledge systems, and your handling of the Witch Tree story illustrates exactly that violenc. The Albinson quote is a perfect capsule of how easily settler narratives turn reverence into superstition when they need to justify their own discomfort with sacred things they don't understand.
Thank you! I always hesitate to do plants with strong indigenous ties because I really don’t want to diminish how important they are by putting them on my dumb horror substack. I’m glad it worked out this time💚 The last thing I want is to facilitate colonial ideals or thinking.
Love a geeky, nerdy piece with a witchcraft twist. Especially since, where I'm from, this tree grows e v e r y w h e r e.
You’re gonna love next week’s piece. My witch character will put the magic of thuja into action…. To horrible effect probably.
wonderful! 🫠
thank you ... fascinating and uplifting.
did you read my story about gitchee manitoo ...TREES feature heavily... "True to his spirit" it's called.
I need to binge your entire catalog 😭I still need to finish the serial with that cool portal box, too. I need like a Nick Winney sponsored vacation ❤️
so kind!… you know i havent finished the portal box thing…i need to get back on that horse!
This is such a beautifully researched piece that manages to weave botanical history with cultural accountability. The way you highlight how white-cedar and redcedar operate as complete ecosystems for Indigenous communities really hammers home that 'Tree of Life' isn't hyperbole, it's utility math. I've been thinkng alot lately about how taxonomy itself becomes a colonizing act when common names erase Indigenous names and knowledge systems, and your handling of the Witch Tree story illustrates exactly that violenc. The Albinson quote is a perfect capsule of how easily settler narratives turn reverence into superstition when they need to justify their own discomfort with sacred things they don't understand.
Thank you! I always hesitate to do plants with strong indigenous ties because I really don’t want to diminish how important they are by putting them on my dumb horror substack. I’m glad it worked out this time💚 The last thing I want is to facilitate colonial ideals or thinking.