Elderberry (Huukaat)

This piece is intended to honor the elderberry tree, one of the first natural relatives I have had the opportunity to work with. Known as “Huukat” in Tongva, the elderberry has taught me that while it is often regarded as a natural resource, it should also be viewed as a natural relative, alongside all our other plant kin. The various gifts it provides us—ranging from dye as shown in the paper weaved in this artwork to the bark also shown which can be used for skirts—highlight the importance of nurturing reciprocal relationships with these natural relatives.