1 The importance of Soapberry and Saskatoon berry to the Cayoose Creek Band
For Sekw’el’was (the Cayoose Creek Band) in Lillooet, soapberries and Saskatoon berries are more than wild foods—they are anchors of language, land-based practice, and community well-being. In St’át’imcets (the local language), soapberry is xúsum and Saskatoon is stsáqwem; both sit at the heart of seasonal harvesting and sharing, reflecting Sekw’el’was’ identity as a gathering place and trading hub on the Fraser–Seton corridor. Their continuing importance is evident in local initiatives such as the S7ilhen Ul (Real Food) Project, which documents community knowledge specifically about xúsum and stsáqwem to support food sovereignty and intergenerational learning.
Soapberry (xúsum) is culturally distinctive across the Interior Salish and especially among St’át’imc communities: the tart red fruits are whipped into a foamy confection often called “Indian ice cream” (sxusem), prepared in grease-free bowls and shared at gatherings. This practice, widely recorded by ethnobotanists, is emblematic of how technique, taste, and sociality are woven together on this land; historically, soapberries were also traded along regional networks linking the Lillooet and Upper Thompson peoples. Today, Sekw’el’was projects continue to celebrate and revitalize this knowledge, keeping harvesting protocols and preparation methods alive.
Saskatoon berry (stsáqwem) has long been a staple for fresh eating, drying, and winter stores (including pemmican – a mixture of tallow, dried meat, and dried berries), and St’át’imc knowledge keepers recognize multiple locally named varieties that cue harvest timing and preferred flavors. The berry’s nutrient profile is rich in fiber and micronutrients and adds to its value for household food security and health. These understandings are not only culinary; they encode detailed ecological observation and varietal discrimination in St’át’imcets, demonstrating the depth of place-based expertise carried by Elders and harvesters.
Across both species, the berries link cultural continuity with stewardship and livelihoods. St’át’imc Traditional Ecological Knowledge highlights berry habitats as priorities for monitoring and restoration (e.g., after logging) and underscores their role as some of the most commonly used plant foods today. Sekw’el’was-owned enterprises such as Splitrock Environmental embody this ethic – combining restoration, ethnobotany, and community enterprise to support local employment and to maintain healthy berry landscapes for future generations. Taken together, xúsum and stsáqwem connect Sekw’el’was people to language, ceremony, seasonal rounds, and contemporary self-determination.
