Bridging Cultures Through Nature
Discover the story behind a unique plant - Sweet Gale
From a project to a product
The Story of the Uchucklesaht and Forest For Dinner Collaboration
The Uchucklesaht Tribe reached out to Forest For Dinner in 2022 for its expertise in Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs). With their own pristine water source, Thunderbird Spirit Water, they sought to create flavored water infused with unique botanicals from their sacred Land.
Over the course of three years, we explored the potential of various plants, herbs, and berries that could be sustainably harvested. Through this research, we discovered that sweet gale was abundant in their traditional territory. Recognizing the cultural and ecological significance of this plant, we agreed that it deserved to be shared with the world.
Since Forest For Dinner was already involved in harvesting sweet gale, we joined forces with the Uchucklesaht Tribe to bring you the unique terroir of this remarkable plant, directly from their ancestral lands.
“We joined forces to bring you the unique terroir of this remarkable plant”
About: Sweet Gale – Myrica gale
What is Sweet Gale?
Sweet gale (Myrica gale) is a highly aromatic shrub native to wetlands, lakeshores, and boggy areas of North America and Europe. Traditionally used by Indigenous and European communities, its fragrant leaves and catkin-like seeds have been valued for their culinary, medicinal, and practical applications.
Uses & Cultural Significance
For centuries, Sweet Gale has been used as a natural insect repellent, food seasoning, and even in brewing, as it was once a key ingredient in traditional gruit ales before the widespread use of hops. Some Indigenous communities and herbalists have also recognized its soothing and astringent properties.
Flavor & Usage Ideas
Sweet Gale seeds emit a distinctive herbal aroma characterized by earthy, resinous, and slightly spicy notes. Traditionally used to enrich broths, stews, and spirits, Sweet Gale adds a subtle bitterness and complexity to a variety of recipes. It can also be incorporated into drink fermentation such as kombucha. For culinary uses, treat Sweet Gale like a spice by crushing it similarly to peppercorns to enhance its flavor contribution.
Who are Uchucklesaht Tribe & Forest For Dinner?
The Uchucklesaht Tribe, one of the five Maa-nulth Treaty Nations, has a deep-rooted connection to their territory in Barkley Sound. Their lands have sustained their people since time immemorial. The Uchucklesaht continue to uphold their cultural traditions and stewardship of their land, water and air under one of their Sacred Principals of Hishukish Ts’A-Walk (“Everything Is One. Everything is Interconnected). A significant cultural site within their territory is T’iitskin Paawats (Thunderbird’s Nest)—a sacred place tied to their history and culture, where members have and continue to seek guidance and strength. Today, the Tribe remains committed to preserving their heritage while fostering sustainable relationships with the land, water, air, and other people and businesses in the community.
Forest For Dinner, founded in 2015 by Benjamin Patarin and Célia Auclair, is dedicated to harvesting and sharing the wild flavors of Vancouver Island. Specializing in sustainably foraged mushrooms, berries, and botanicals, the company follows ethical harvesting practices that respect nature’s cycles. Their products celebrate the region’s unique terroir, connecting people to the land through wild food. With a focus on quality, transparency, and sustainability, Forest For Dinner continues to expand its offerings while fostering a deeper appreciation for locally foraged ingredients.
Shared Vision for the land
This partnership is rooted in a shared respect for the land and its generosity, demonstrating that by working together, we can steward it sustainably for ourselves and future generations.
Through food, we forge friendships, and hand in hand, we move toward a reimagined future – One where all living beings have their rightful place.