Photo Credit Liz Dempsey: According to tradition, a young girl digs the first bitterroot. She then hands it to an elder, who cleans the plant and offers prayers—not just for the harvest, but for the people and the land. This year, that honor went to Nkwusm student Selicia Corral.
Liz Dempsey from the Char-Koosta News reports on this year’s Bitterroot Dig, where the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes opened the 2025 ceremony by honoring the traditional laws that guide the gathering of one of their most sacred foods: the bitterroot.
Known scientifically as Lewisia rediviva, the bitterroot’s name comes from the Latin word for “revived,” reflecting its ability to regrow even after being dried and stored. It survives harsh conditions, lying dormant until rain brings it back to life—a powerful symbol of resilience for Indigenous communities who have endured centuries of hardship while remaining rooted in tradition.
Long before it became Montana’s state flower in 1895, bitterroot held deep spiritual meaning for the Salish people. The Salish word for bitterroot is sp̓eƛ̓m (spetlum) and its origin story speaks of a grieving mother whose tears during a famine gave rise to the plant that would feed her people. “From teardrops to tears,” said Arlee. “She became a special plant for all of us.”
Today, the traditional dig begins with a prayer. A young girl harvests the first root and presents it to an elder, who blesses it. This ritual reflects the “Indian Laws”—ancestral teachings that honor the plant, the people, and the land.
More than food, bitterroot is medicine, sustenance, and a sacred link between the past and present.
Read the full article here:
CSKT Gathers for a Community Staple – Bitterroot
