Dwarf birch
Teetł’it Gwich’in Name::
łuu t'an
Latin Name:
Betula glandulosa
As flooring
Dwarf birch is widespread in the Gwich’in Settlement Region and is commonly found growing among cranberries and alders (red willow) on muskeg. It is used for flooring in tents. When it is placed among ah’ (spruce boughs) the birch keeps the boughs fresh longer.
Source: Andre, Alestine and Alan Fehr, Gwich'in Ethnobotany, 2nd ed. (2002)
As medicine
The paper and dwarf birch trees are used in the same way. The inner bark of birch is made into a mild tea to treat stomach problems and the leaves are used to treat insect bites.
Source: Andre, Alestine, Nan t'aih nakwits'inahtsìh (The Land Gives Us Strength) (2006)
