Mi'kmaq Medicines: Remedies and Recollections

by Laurie Lacey

In this delightful book, Laurie Lacey’s reflections on the magical world of plant life and the gathering of remedies chronicles more than 70 plants used by the Mi’kmaq as medicines. Since the Mi’kmaq healing process begins with the gathering and preparation of medicines, Lacey takes us into swamps and bogs, the barrens and woods, to explore the habitats of plants with healing properties. He then illustrates each medicinal plant and describes its traditional use or uses. Whether one is hiking through a field listening for the sound of the “sacred plant,” the yellow rattle, exploring bogs in the hope of finding the elusive blue flag, or simply interested in the Mi’kmaq approach to health and healing, Mi’kmaq Medicines will prove a helpful and enjoyable companion.

This new edition includes a fully revised text and a new preface from the author on current perspectives in Mi’kmaq medicines.

Genres: Nonfiction, Indigenous, Canada, Environment, Nature, Reference, Health

144 pages, Paperback

First published April 26, 2012

Reviews

[Carrie Lauder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Technically 2.5 stars. Useful as a reference book but somewhat problematic as a non- Indigenous author writing about Mi’kmaq knowledge.

[Mallee Stanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're interested in natural remedies, this is an interesting read. I liked the personal contacts with Mi'kmaq people who offered the knowledge they had about different plants and the cures. However, not having a great knowledge of plants and how to identify them, clear colour photographs instead of sketches would have made this book more user friendly.

[Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It's basically a catalog of some Mi'kmaq medicines, as the title states. There is some very basic information on medicinal use on each, but little to no cultural information on them.
I feel like the addition of cultural or ritual use information is critical to understanding the use of these plants, so I wish that was included.
This book is not written by a Mi'kmaq author, and there are places where it shows. In the partridgeberry section, Lacey states that they were originally called a name that includes a colonial slur. This is NOT the case. The Mi'kmaq name for partridgeberry is Ktaqmkuk. There is little inclusion of proper Miꞌkmawiꞌsimk names, though a few sections do include anglicized versions of them, which was appreciated.
Despite its faults, this book is one of a kind. There is very little out there like this, and despite some dated mistakes, Laceys love and respect for both plants, and Mi'kmaq does come through in many places.

[Ryan Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quickly found out I wasn't the target audience for this book, but I enjoyed learning about the plants, the methods in which they were/are used medicinally, and it was interesting how some of the applications grew into normal, widespread knowledge (e.g. cranberries, strawberries, raspberries, pine, etc.).

[TheGeneralLibrary · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author seems very passionate about the topic and has done a lot of research.
I think this book could be a good starting point for general/basic knowledge regarding tradition plants and their uses.

[Heather Connell · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Picked up a copy at a local bookstore making the assumption that the author was Mi’kmaq but found out they are not and that disappointed me. I did learn somethings and it makes me want to read more on the topic.

[Aren Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely little reference book for local plants and natural remedies found in NS (and most of the East Coast of CA), very much written from a Etuaptmumk perspective (the Mi'kmaw word for Two-Eyed Seeing).

[John A · Rating 2 out of 5]

a good reference type book.