A team of multidisciplinary scientists is shedding light on how ancestral Indigenous peoples managed plants across British Columbia by decoding the DNA of the beaked hazelnut (Corylus cornuta), a plant native to the region.
The study, led by Chelsey Geralda Armstrong, an assistant professor in Simon Fraser University’s (SFU) Department of Indigenous Studies, was recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (PNAS).
Armstrong highlights a prevalent misconception in North America — particularly in British Columbia — that Indigenous peoples did not actively manage or utilize the land, which is often referred to as ‘wild’ or ‘untouched.’
This research counters the idea that Indigenous peoples were merely “hunter-gatherers,” a term rooted in early 20th century anthropology. It suggests that these communities were, in fact, cultivating hazelnuts on a grand scale, likely beginning around 7,000 years ago.
Indigenous knowledge as a foundation for genetic research
Armstrong, who specializes in ethnoecology and archaeology, focuses on uncovering evidence of how humans historically interacted with their environments. To investigate the shared histories of people and plants, she collaborates with Indigenous Elders and knowledge holders.
Through her earlier work, Armstrong learned of oral histories detailing how ancient populations cultivated beaked hazelnut. In addition to offering a dependable food source, various parts of the plant were creatively used: its oil was made into medicines and cosmetics; roots were transformed into rich blue dye; and its resilient wood and shoots were crafted into items like snowshoes.
Motivated by these traditions, Armstrong sought to explore how the genetic attributes of the hazelnut corresponded with this accumulated knowledge. She assembled a team that included geneticists and linguists to gather diverse evidence illustrating how human actions allowed the beaked hazelnut to thrive naturally in British Columbia’s forests.
Genetic clues reveal trade and long-distance cultivation
In addition to oral accounts, Armstrong’s team discovered linguistic similarities among Indigenous languages in the province, suggesting that the beaked hazelnut served as a valuable trade item circulated among various communities. “British Columbia’s linguistic diversity is significant. We found that the word for hazelnut shows similarities across many Indigenous languages, which is unexpected,” Armstrong explains.
To trace the spread of the native hazelnut throughout Western North America, Armstrong and her colleagues gathered specimens from across the province, concentrating especially near historical village sites. Partnering with scientists from the Hakai Institute, they analyzed the genetic information from these samples and charted where plants with shared genetic characteristics are found.
“Our findings indicate that people were actively transporting and cultivating hazelnuts hundreds of kilometers away from their original sites,” Armstrong states, highlighting the extensive trade that their mapping revealed. “This active management increased genetic diversity, which was previously thought to be absent in the Pacific Northwest.”
Importantly, by examining specimens from the Skeena Watershed, Armstrong’s team identified unique clusters of hazelnut strains that are found solely in the territory of the Gitxsan, Ts’msyen, and Nisga’a peoples. “Genetic clustering allowed us to make subtle connections that support Indigenous land claims in the region,” Armstrong adds.
Rediscovering Indigenous science can enhance food security
Armstrong argues that colonial efforts to separate Indigenous peoples from their lands and suppress their traditional knowledge have obscured the significant role that humans played in shaping their environments. By utilizing genetic data, this study highlights the effective land-management techniques that Indigenous peoples have relied on for generations.
Jesse Stoeppler (Gwii Lok’im Gibuu), a Gitxsan land steward who is the co-executive director of the Skeena Watershed Coalition and Deputy Chief of the Hagwilget First Nation, believes that reviving traditional knowledge will greatly benefit the environment and his community’s economy. “Our communities have faced similar challenges for thousands of years and have found effective solutions,” Stoeppler notes. “Our history is key to our future. Our ancestors understood the significance of the hazelnut and took care of the land, allowing local flora and fauna to flourish. This understanding is crucial for establishing food sovereignty within our communities.”
Armstrong similarly emphasizes that the study reveals how Indigenous peoples recognized the importance of maintaining genetic diversity to support environmental sustainability. “This research confirms what Indigenous peoples have long understood: cultivation and management of plants, evident in the genetic makeup of hazelnut, were actively practiced,” she concludes.
