“This excellent field guide to many plants native to British Columbia emphasizes the traditional technological uses of plant materials by the First Peoples of the region…. This well-organized, clearly written book contains a wealth of fascination information for both the ethnobotanist and the interested layperson.” – Nikki Tate-Stratton, Canadian Book Review Annual In her third ethnobotany handbook, Nancy Turner focuses on the plants that provided heat, shelter, transportation, clothing, tools, nets, ropes, containers—all the necessities of life for First Peoples. She describes more than 100 of these plants, their various uses and their importance in the material cultures of First Nations in British Columbia and adjacent lands in Washington, Alberta, Alaska and Montana. She also shows how First Peoples have used plant materials to make decorations, scents, cleaning agents, insect repellents, toys and many other items.
Nancy E. Turner Books
Nancy Turner is an ethnobotanist whose work bridges the disciplines of botany and ecology with fields such as anthropology, geography, and linguistics. She delves into the traditional knowledge and land management systems of Indigenous Peoples, with a particular focus on western Canada. Her research illuminates the profound connections between people and the natural world, emphasizing the preservation of vital ecological wisdom.






These is my Words. The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881-1901
- 416 pages
- 15 hours of reading
A moving, exciting, and heartfelt American saga inspired by the author's own family memoirs, these words belong to Sarah Prine, a woman of spirit and fire who forges a full and remarkable existence in a harsh, unfamiliar frontier. Scrupulously recording her steps down the path Providence has set her upon—from child to determined young adult to loving mother—she shares the turbulent events, both joyous and tragic, that molded her, and recalls the enduring love with cavalry officer Captain Jack Elliot that gave her strength and purpose. Rich in authentic everyday details and alive with truly unforgettable characters, These Is My Words brilliantly brings a vanished world to breathtaking life again.
500 Years
- 63 pages
- 3 hours of reading
The collection in the Library of Corpus Christi College includes a range of illuminated manuscripts and printed first editions by the likes of Aristotle, Homer, Chaucer, Galileo and Isaac Newton, and features several items from the most important collection of Anglo-Jewish manuscripts in the world.
Plants of Haida Gwaii: Third Edition
- 272 pages
- 10 hours of reading
Featuring over 40 new photos and the latest botanical insights, this updated edition celebrates the flora of British Columbia. It offers a fresh perspective on the region's plant life, making it an essential resource for nature enthusiasts and gardeners alike. The book combines rich visuals with accurate, current information to enhance appreciation for the diverse ecosystems found in British Columbia.
Saanich Ethnobotany
- 175 pages
- 7 hours of reading
Nancy Turner and Richard Hebda present the results of many years of working with botanical experts from the Saanich Nation on southern Vancouver Island. Elders Violet Williams, Elsie Claxton, Christopher Paul and Dave Elliott pass on their knowledge of plants and their uses to future generations of Saanich and Coast Salish people, and to anyone interested in native plants.Saanich Ethnobotany includes detailed information about the plants that were traditionally harvested to use in all aspects of Saanich life, such as for food and medicines, and to make tools, buildings and weapons. Each plant is listed by its common (English), scientific and Saanich names. Each listing contains a brief botanical description with a colour photograph, where to find the plant and how it was used traditionally by the Saanich people.This important book celebrates the richness and tremendous value of locally based knowledge in a rapidly changing world.
Light Changes Everything
- 304 pages
- 11 hours of reading
It's the summer of 1907 and the sun is scorching down on Mary Pearl in the Arizona Territory. Mary Pearl and her sister Esther take their minds off the heat by sneaking banned Jane Austen novels from Aunt Sarah Elliot's lively bookshelf. Whispered read alouds preoccupy their nights, and reveries of getting hitched to their own Mr. Darcy a la Pride and Prejudice swirl through their day dreams.
The St. Albans Psalter
- 104 pages
- 4 hours of reading
The St Albans Psalter is one of the most important, famous, and puzzling books produced in 12th-century England. It was probably created between 1120 and 1140 at St Albans Abbey. In 2012, scholars conservators, and scientists at the J Paul Getty Musesum conducted an examination of the Psalter. This title deals with these 12th-century manuscripts.