Erin Fletcher
Northern News Services

Fort McPherson (Sep 08/03) - Berry picking just got a bit more complicated.

The popular activity has been the focus of a doctoral thesis project by Brenda Parlee.

Parlee's studies are important in maintaining the resource, said James Andre, a director for the Tetlit Gwich'in Renewable Resource Council in Fort McPherson.

The Renewable Resource Council is responsible for protecting and managing the animals, plants and fish within the Gwich'in Settlement Area.

"It's important because (berries) are a part of our diet," said Andre.

Parlee, a University of Manitoba student, is studying the social organization of berry picking in the Gwich'in community of Fort McPherson and how the pickers adapt to complex changes in the environment.

Local researcher Christine Firth and Parlee have spent a year interviewing local people, mapping berry picking areas and monitoring the exchange of resources in the community.

Families all over the Delta region pick thousands of nakal -- cloud berries -- blueberries and cranberries in the summer and early fall. The berries are a great source of vitamins and are used in everything from desserts to traditional medicines.

"It is truly one of those activities in the community that spans the generations," said Parlee.

"It's really a wonderful vehicle for generations to communicate and share with one another," she said.

"It's good to study whatever we're eating, even if it is a delicacy like berries. Any kind of study is good for us because we can learn from it," Andre said.

In recent years, the council has become concerned about berry contamination.

The calcium used to keep the dust down on the Dempster Highway may affect berries close to the road, he said.

"We don't know what that is doing to our berries."

Dr. Steve Siciliano of the University of Saskatchewan may help address this concern during a follow-up study next year.

A machine will be used to "digest" the berries to find out if contaminants or other particles are sticking to the plants.

Another concern for harvesters is the weather.

Last year there was a late frost and a hot dry summer, so there were virtually no berries around the community, said Parlee.

So far this year's harvest has been good.

But good or bad, an experienced berry picker always knows how to get her buckets filled.

"The women are constantly watching all the clues in the weather," said Parlee.

The monitoring done by harvesters can also tell researchers more about the changing climate.

The results of the study will be held by the local community, the Gwich'in Renewable Resources Board and the Gwich'in Social and Cultural Institute for future generations.