Cattail (Typha latifolia): The Metis used every part of the
cattail. The youngrhizomes and shoots can be eaten fresh in the
spring. The parts of the stalks that arebuoyant were used for
various kinds of floats. The mature roots can be peeled androasted
or fried for eating. Metis Elder, Senator Edward Head informs that
the lowersix inches of the root was dried, after which it became a
powder. This flour-likepowder was used by the Metis to make
bannock. The heads of the cattail weresoaked in kerosene and
lighted as torches. Ed Head remembers many skating partieslighting
their way with these torches, which would burn for a long time
because theywere so dense. The fluffy seeds of the cattail can be
used for insulation in clothing orblankets.
Compiled by Lawrence Barkwell
Coordinator of Metis Heritage and History Research
