For the best experienceDownload the Mobile App
App Store Play Store
Huckleberries are an important cultural food, but commercial picking is causing problems for Pacific Northwest tribes
Huckleberries are an important cultural food, but commercial picking is causing problems for Pacific Northwest tribes
Huckleberries are an important cultural food, but commercial picking is causing problems for Pacific Northwest tribes

Published on: 03/14/2025

This news was posted by Oregon Today News

Go To Business Place

Description

In this undated, supplied image, Kaiwin Clements, a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, holds freshly picked huckleberries in the shape of a heart.

From jams and ice cream to syrups and lotions, huckleberries are a fruit that can be found in all sorts of Pacific Northwest commodities. But these berries are incredibly difficult to grow, preferring high elevations and acidic soil, making them hard to cultivate.

The U.S. Forest Service issues permits to commercially pick these berries, selling more than 900 permits last season. For tribes in the Pacific Northwest, these berries are a culturally important food that they say has become scarce over the years with growing competition from pickers, which they argue infringe on treaty rights.

Josephine Woolington is a freelance journalist and author based in Portland who reported on this issue for High Country News. Elaine Harvey is a Ḱamíłpa band member, one of the 14 tribes and bands that comprise the Yakama Nation, and was featured in the story. They both join us to share more on the commercialization of huckleberries.

Contact “Think Out Loud®”

If you’d like to comment on any of the topics in this show or suggest a topic of your own, please get in touch with us on Facebook, send an email to [email protected], or you can leave a voicemail for us at 503-293-1983. The call-in phone number during the noon hour is 888-665-5865.

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2025/03/14/huckleberry-picking-tribal-food/

Other Related News

12/04/2025

EUGENE Count Oregon State coach Scott Rueck among those not interested in continuing the ...

Oregon Lottery sends over $887 million back to the state in 2025
Oregon Lottery sends over $887 million back to the state in 2025

12/03/2025

Over 887 million from the Oregon Lottery is going to the state to fund local schools and p...

Roseburg-based company among top forest operators for 2025 announced by ODF
Roseburg-based company among top forest operators for 2025 announced by ODF

12/03/2025

Two loggers and a forest road builder have been chosen as Operator of is the Year for thei...

As Oregon Mulls Private Equity Hospice Merger, Lawmakers Hear of Grim Financial Logic
As Oregon Mulls Private Equity Hospice Merger, Lawmakers Hear of Grim Financial Logic

12/03/2025

With a major transaction under consideration Oregon lawmakers got a reminder last month th...

ShoutoutGive Shoutout
500/500