My Father, Owen James

Stories and adventures with my father

Traditional Tlingit Medicine

Traditional Tlingit use a variety of plants and other materials to maintain good health and to heal themselves and others from various ailments. Many of these traditions are still in use today and have been scientifically proven to be effective. Other traditions are more difficult to test, but were believed in by many. My father’s family was very traditional and held strong beliefs, many of which are practiced by very few people today. My father’s grandmother was a Tlingit healer and passed down a lot of her knowledge to my father.

Dad tells about his grandmother, a healer.

Devil’s Club

Dad tells about his mother making Devil’s Club tea.

Grey Currant

Hudson Bay Tea

My father describes using spruce pitch as traditional medicine.
Dad tells about his father’s method of curing head lice.
Dad tells how Devil’s Club is used to protect families.
Dad tells how to keep mice from your home using traditional means.