Chapter 4.11
4.11 The Huckleberry
Sanna Huyssen , University of Guelph, Canada
Suggested citation for this chapter.
Huyssen,S. (2022) Fleshy Fruits. In The Student Encyclopedia of Canadian Indigenous Foods. Editor, M.N. Raizada, University of Guelph, Canada. http://www.firstnationsfoods.org/
Introduction
The historical origin of indigenous food and commercialized food production is not common knowledge, because, as the agricultural industry's economic impact and production scale grows, consumers tend to know less about where their food comes from (Sutherland, C et al., 2020). The purpose of this paper is to investigate the significance and future economic potential of the huckleberry plant. Through the incorporation of indigenous knowledge, the utilization of production chain technology, and by targeting the growing ‘health food’ market, huckleberries stand to be a successful commercial product.
Taxonomical and geographical information
The huckleberry plant is a vascular flowering shrub in the Vaccinium genus, the same genus as blueberries, mountain bilberries, and cranberries (Simonin, K,A., 2000). The official scientific name of the huckleberry plant is Vaccinium membranaceum Douglas ex Torr, though the plant is commonly known as the thinleaf huckleberry. This plant can be identified by its alternately arranged oval-shaped leaves, its pale pink urn-shaped flowers, and/or its small blueberry-esque fruit (Simonin, K, A., 2000). Huckleberries lack a dense and centralized root, as they spread by means of underground stems called rhizomes, often with multiple bushes extending from the same plant (Barney, D.,1999). Native to much of North America, the huckleberry plant’s range extends from Nunavut and British Columbia, Southward into California, and stretches East through Wyoming, South Dakota, and into Ontario (Simonin, K, A., 2000). The huckleberry plant traditionally grows wild, and successfully inhabits montane ecosystems and alpine environments, which has made them shade tolerant and adaptable to a range in growing temperatures. Optimal growing conditions for the huckleberry plant consist of acidic, well drained, loamy soil of coniferous forests, which are characteristically cool, mesic areas (Simonin, K, A., 2000). Because huckleberries typically bloom in early spring to produce their fruit come late August, they typically do not grow in areas susceptible to frost, as their blossoms are susceptible to frost damage (Barney, D., 1999). Figure 1 illustrates the general distribution map of the provinces and states where the huckleberry plant grows; as huckleberries do not easily grow in far Northern regions of British Columbia, or in far Southern regions of California and Arizona (Simonin, K,A., 2000).
Cultural Significance
The dark, fleshy fruit of the huckleberry plant is prized by many indegenous communities (Kuhnlein, H, V. et al, 1991). The Déné of central and Northwest Canada are some of the peoples who originally cultivated the huckleberry plant, and who continue to consume huckleberries today (Kuhnlein, H, V. et al, 1991). Located in regions of the Northwest Territories and near the Mackenzie River Valley, the Chipewyan, Tlicho, and North Slavey are just some of those groups that identify as Déné. Although there is only one language spoken by Déné peoples, it consists of many dialects spoken by the respective groups previously mentioned (Dene Nation, 2021). The Déné were traditionally hunting and gathering communities, where much of the child care, cultivation, and food preparation was done by the women; while the men focused on hunting wild game, namely Caribou (Dene Nation, 2021). It is important to note that, between 1871 and 1921, colonization of traditional Déné territory gradually pushed the respective Indigenous peoples onto reserves, eradicating hunting patterns and their traditional ways of life. Further pursuits of european colonizers exploited Déné land in order to obtain oil and gold, while assimilation tactics practiced by residential schools, and repressive treaties deteriorated any kind of socioeconomic progress of the Déné peoples (Dene Nation, 2020). The huckleberry served as a versatile plant for the Déné people, as both the huckleberry plant and its fruit are used for medicinal purposes, and as a food source. The berries were enjoyed fresh, or were dried and crushed into a cake-like pemmican to preserve them for later consumption; while the leaves of the shrub were often used in teas (Kuhnlein, H, V. et al, 1991). This historical enjoyment and success of huckleberry consumption illustrates how the general public today may also enjoy huckleberries, if made into a commercial product. Today, huckleberries are frozen, dried, and incorporated into other products such as: baked goods, syrups and extracts, jams, beverages, and cosmetics (Manitoba: ARD, 2021). The versatility of the huckleberry only increases its value, and may be enticing to commercial producers, as huckleberry fruit alone can be used in a variety of ways.
Nutritional Benefits
The nutritional value of Vaccinium membranaceum may be used as a marketing tool when targeting consumers. A shift towards a ‘health food’ based market has recently been increasing due to consumer demand for nutrition, convenience, and a greater variety of food products (Barkema, A. et al, 1991). With both leaves and berries of the huckleberry plant possessing medicinal properties, huckleberries meet the primary demands of the health food market. In 100 g of raw huckleberries, there is roughly 6.6 mg of vitamin C and 40 mg of vitamin A. These vitamins are key to maintaining a healthy immune system, normal eye function, and cell reproduction (NIH, 2021). Additionally, the minerals found in huckleberries are essential in maintaining biological chemical processes, such as supporting cell function and reproduction (NIH, 2021). 100 grams of huckleberries contain: 17 mg of phosphorus, 14 mg of calcium, 8 mg of magnesium, and trace amounts of zinc, iron, copper and manganese. This would allow huckleberry to be marketed as a nutrient dense and healthy food to attract consumers. Furthermore, the antioxidants, anthocyanin and polyphenols that are found within the flesh of huckleberries help to prevent kidney damage, retropathy, and poor tissue healing, while cyanidin 3-glucoside and gallic acid in the leaves and fruit of the huckleberry plant help reduce cholesterol levels and maintain blood pressure (Lee, J. et al., 2004). Antioxidants promote cellular health by targeting free-radicals, unstable molecules introduced to the human body by internal or external mechanisms, like carcinogens or pesticides (Chu, W. et al, 2011). These free radicals target healthy human cells, in search of stabilizing electrons, which causes oxidative stress and ultimately cell death (Chu, W. et al, 2011). It is the inactivation of these free radicals by the donation of electrons from antioxidants found in huckleberries that helps to prevent oxidative stress; ultimately preventing internal cell damage and promoting cellular health (Lee, J. et al., 2004). Parallels can be drawn between the health benefits of the huckleberry plant and the cultural significance huckleberries hold in Indigenous communities, as it was the health benefits of the huckleberry that historically helped to sustain Indigenous peoples (Barney, D., 1999). Advertising the health benefits of the vitamins, and minerals, as well as the medicinal properties of huckleberries would be advantageous when attracting consumer sales, as the huckleberry will introduce a new food variety that meets the nutritional demands of the health food market.
Future Focus
Huckleberries primarily grow wild, with limited agricultural intervention to improve their yield. This provides an expansion opportunity similar to the commercialization of wild blueberry crops. The installation of huckleberry crops can provide employment opportunities for Indigenous people, as huckleberries are endemic to the Western regions of where Indigenous groups reside. For example, the majority of Canadian blueberry crops are grown in regions of British Columbia where many indigenous communities, including the Déné, are located (Dene Nation, 2020). There, in particular, initiatives can be set forward that focus on providing employment, leadership, and executive opportunities for Déné and other Indigenous peoples in the production, distribution, and commercialization process of huckleberries.
References
1. Barney, D. 1999. Growing Western Huckleberries. University of Idaho, Sandpoint Research & Extension Center. Retrieved from https://www.extension.uidaho.edu/publishing/pdf/BUL/BUL0821.pdf
2. Barkema, A. Drabenstott, M. & Welch, K. (June 1991) The Quiet Revolution in the U.S. Food Market. Economic
3. Hummer, K. E. (2013). Manna in Winter: Indigenous Americans, Huckleberries, and Blueberries, HortScience, 48(4), 413-417.
4. Kuhnlein ,H, V. Turner, N, J. (1991)Traditional Plant Foods Of Canadian Indigenous Peoples Nutrition, Botany And Use. Amsterdam B.V: Gordon And Breach Publishers https://www.fao.org/3/ai215e/ai215e.pdf
5. OMAFRA resource (February 12th, 2021) Starting Commercial Berry Production: Basic Considerations http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/comm_berr.htm
6.Manitoba: Agriculture and Resource Development (2021) Blueberry Production in Manitoba.
7. NIH. U.S Department of Health & Human Services. (January 14th, 2021) Strengthening Knowledge and Understanding of Dietary Supplements. Retrieved from https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional/
8. Simonin, K,A. (2000). Vaccinium membranaceum. In: Fire Effects Information System. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory.
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