The Sweetest Time of Year: Berry Season!

This blog post is written by Eighth Generation's summer intern, Nena Naat’áanii Dorame (Diné/Yaqui)

Berry Season and Eighth Generation  

A season that’s so berry sweet It’s berry picking season, and in many Indigenous communities, berry-picking is a thoughtful process intertwined in our cultural values. For many tribes, berries symbolize a reciprocal relationship between a person and the land; strawberries, blackberries, elderberries, blueberries, and many more are all gifts harvested straight from the Earth. Having a strong connection to these wonderful gifts of life reminds us to continue to learn the lessons held within nature and share those lessons with others. Ultimately, berries can symbolize respect, love, and balance Many of Eighth Generation’s artists, representing various tribal Nations, have shared their relationship to berries within their designs.

Renewal Wool Blanket by Sarah Agaton Howes (Anishinaabe-Ojibwe)

Berries are known for their sweet taste, and, of course, their vibrant colors. In Anishinaabe-Ojibwe artist Sarah Agaton Howes’s Renewal Wool Blanket design, Sarah incorporates hints of how berries are interwoven in her identity and her art by twining strawberries throughout. Also known as “heart berries,”  many of Sarah’s designs feature strawberries; and they are such a significant personal symbol that she named her brand Heart Berry after them. Sarah’s Renewal design specifically tells a story about honoring the land, and the journey of healing. It features more natural elements such as the wild plum flower, wild rice representing the water, and the dogwood flower.

Spring Sunrise Notebook by Kira Murillo (Shoshone-Bannock) 

 
Also illustrating the reciprocal relationships that berries bring to Native communities, artist Kira Murillo (Shoshone-Bannock) reflects on her connection with the land in her vibrant Spring Sunrise Notebook design. She shares that in regard to nature, “We must take care of her so she can continue to take care of us.” This design features bold blossoms and, of course, ripe berries that stretch across a beautiful pale purple background. Her design illustrates the radiance of the sun, representing a bond between nature’s elements that contribute to the life of the berries and other botanicals in her work.

 
Hummingbird and Elderberry Enamel Pin by Louie Gong (Nooksack)

When all parts of nature work together, there is a sense of harmony and balance. This balance is shown in our Hummingbird and Elderberry Enamel Pin by Louie Gong (Nooksack). Featuring a berry-bright hummingbird and elderberry sprig, this pin is the perfect way to carry a glimmer of positivity with you wherever you go.

Of course, you can shop our berry-themed designs online 24/7, but if you visit our flagship store in downtown Seattle this July you’re in for an extra treat: our neighbor, Pike Place Market, is hosting their annual July Berry Festival this month, with events and berry-themed goods and goodies. When you visit our flagship store this summer,  be sure to pop right across the street to continue the celebration.  Thank you for joining Eighth Generation in celebrating berry picking season, and let us know in the comments below what berries you’d like to see make their way to Eighth Generation’s products.