Small groups of people gather along the oceanfront among tidal pools listening to Fran Nahanee's clear voice fill the morning air. Greeting the Day was her song now, passed down from the ancestors. I feel when I sing this song I am giving my thanks and prayer to the Creator and to the plants, in a song that was sung by my ancestors for the same reasons, she told us.

Fran's song honoring the plants set the tone for the day as we walked on firm sand among the tidal pools. At times, we meandered meditatively at others we spoke spontaneously about our experience of the plants.

The plants range in colors and texture personified by the background of sculptured sand. Yellow sticky gumweed hugs the upside of the tidal belt; blue brooklime follows a slope along the shore their delicate numbers making a familiar blue hue. At the tidal line, a well-honored medicinal plant with small succulent leaves and soft pink flowers that pop up in the leaf axils shows itself. What a sight against the ocean, this resilient colony of sea-milkwort (Glaux maritima). We are silent, sit, and in time talk of what we know and feel

My notes of this day centre on the Haida use of sea-milkwort in the birthing process to relax the mother at the right time. The root was also used as a sleeping medication and it was well known that you took it only when you needed sleep - because you got it.

That day I spoke with others along the Sechelt Peninsula and several older women told me that it was useful to increase breast milk and at the same time relaxed baby and mother.

Today we have such botanical medicines and simple teas such as St. John's wort and Lemon Balm that are grown commercially that are utilized in the same way.

I searched Saskatchewan's alkaline meadows and marshes where sea-milkwort is said to live but did not locate them. Then one day I was picnicking on the shores of Little Manitou Lake when I realize a huge colony of sea-milkwort was within reach. A tiny, showy, vibrant group, thriving mightily.

Unfortunately, Little Manitou Lake flooded terribly this year and the shoreline plants and trees are washed here and there - to my eye there was a lot of damage. The sea-milkwort has been completely immersed for months. Time will tell if they could possibly recover when the water recedes. I also imagine them floating along, root in tact, 'clasping' onto an inviting dry spot to thrive once more on the shoreline.

Although rare, not endangered, sea-milkwort should nevertheless be protected. 
 

Sea-Milkwort - Glaux maritima