The Suquamish Tribe is one of the groups of Coast Salish People that revere the Western Red Cedar tree for its many uses and spiritual significance.

Cedar Leaf Rubbing

The Western Red Cedar is a large, noble evergreen tree that grows from Oregon to Alaska and through British Columbia. Its leaves are flat, its branches are flexible and strong and its bark is very fibrous and tough.

Canoes were hollowed out of a felled Cedar tree and carved for use in fishing, traveling and warfare.

Baskets were woven from their bark because they were so strong, durable and mold resistant. Native Coast Salish people also ate the inner bark as a food source and the berries (or cones) they used for medicine.

The Cedar leaf itself is made up of tiny scales that alternate along the stem. These are clustered together on a small branch, and spread out along larger branches.

Today we will be using the Western Red Cedar leaves to create rubbings with crayon and watercolor.