Horses and our history
Local First Nations horse culture was short lived and a relatively recent development. Plains peoples had been pedestrian cultures and the horse was a late arrival and European in origin. The first horses arrived in what is now Central Alberta in the 1730s-1750s. Horses and the knowledge of horse riding had been traded up between nations from what is now California after the first few were sold by or stolen from Spanish colonialists there.
Horses grew in importance on the plains rapidly. They allowed First Nations to vastly expand their travelling range. As beasts of burden, horses helped First Nations carry more supplies further. The horse changed bison hunting techniques; instead of whole community affairs, skilled riders on horseback could kill choice animals. Horses also increased the pace of war.
Horses were a source of prestige for all people living in the west. Fort Edmonton’s Chief Factor John Rowand owned a large herd of horses, received as a dowry when he married his wife Louise Umphreville, and it is said that his wealth in horses afforded him the respect of the Cree.
When European fur traders first arrived in the Edmonton area and set up shop in 1795, horse culture was at its height. So was the cultural importance of horse theft. Stealing horses was a way to demonstrate one’s skill as a warrior and as a leader. The first recorded instance in Edmonton was in 1799, in which 20 horses were stolen and two were killed. Read more at https://citymuseumedmonton.ca/2016/10/18/lucier-and-the-horse-thieves/
Share your observations of the natural world
Citizen science is the practice of public participation and collaboration in scientific research to increase scientific knowledge. Through citizen science, people share and contribute to data monitoring and collection programs. Usually this participation is done as an unpaid volunteer
A citizen science network enables researchers to view and utilize data from myriad subjects in locations across the world, all at once. This is perhaps one of the greatest benefits of citizen science. But citizen scientists do not only provide usable data, they can analyze it, too.
iNaturalist is a nature app that helps identify plants and animals and is an accessible way to conduct citizen science. You can take a photo of your plant or insect of interest and it will provide possible identifications. If you take a clear picture depicting key features such as flowers and leaves, it does a good job of getting you to the genus level. By recording and sharing your observations, you create research quality data for scientists working to better understand and protect nature. Learn more at https://www.inaturalist.org/
Shakespeare and starlings
All European Starlings in North America descended from 100 birds set loose in New York's Central Park in the early 1890s. The birds were intentionally released by a group who wanted America to have all the birds that Shakespeare ever mentioned. Today, more than 200 million of these songbirds range from Alaska to Mexico and many people, especially farmers, consider them pests.
Starlings are stocky black birds with short tails, triangular wings, and long, pointed bills. They are great vocal mimics and individuals can learn the calls of up to 20 different species. Birds whose songs starlings often copy include the American Robin, Northern Flicker, and many others.
Starlings turn from spotted and white to glossy and dark each year without shedding their feathers. The new feathers they grow in fall have bold white tips, which is what gives them their spots. By spring, these tips have worn away, and the rest of the feather is dark and iridescent brown. It is an unusual changing act that scientists term “wear molt”.
Scientists have discovered starlings can taste salt, sugars, citric acid, and tannins. They can tell the difference between sucrose (table sugar) and other kinds of sugars – helpful since starlings lack the ability to digest sucrose. Learn more at https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/European_Starling/overview
Artist known for paintings of river valley
Lori Frank is a born and raised in Edmonton artist known for her river valley series of paintings. According to Lori, “it was my trips to New York that inspired me to bring more awareness to the river valley, which is 20 times larger than Central Park. The beauty of our valley, walking in it, living overlooking it, and painting it brings me a great sense of belonging and joy.’
Ms. Frank says the series began, “with various stairways in various seasons leading to our valley. At that time, I also developed my series of trails in our valley and have since continued those series, adding bridges, people, and architecture. I feel like I’ve just started painting Edmonton and its valley… I will continue it as long as clients keep asking me to paint their favourite spots.” See more at https://www.lorifrank.ca/ Share river valley event, job posting, or news
If you have a river valley event, job posting, or news that you would like to see published in this newsletter, please send the info to nsrivervalley@gmail.com
Sincerely yours,
Harvey Voogd
North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society
780.691.1712
nsrivervalley@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/NSRVCS/
http://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/