Berries were a prized food. Raspberries, strawberries, huckleberries, saskatoon berries, chokecherries and soapberries (sxusem) were all gathered as an important part of the Secwepemc diet. Most were sun-dried for later use.

Gathering berries is still a very important part of Secwepemc life today. Many of the same gathering areas and ways to process the berries are used today. The Secwepemc people continue to show appreciation for the berry crop they harvest each year.

The soapberries (sxusem) berries were one of the most important berries that the Secwepemc people gathered for their food supply. The soapberries berries were found in dry open areas in the mountains.

The First Fruit Ceremony was held at the beginning of each picking season which started around the end of June and ran through to the end of August. This ceremony was a way for the Secwepemc people to show appreciation for the berry crop they were about to harvest.

The Chief would announce the beginning of the berry picking season, which came at different times depending on the type of berry, and everyone would gather at the picking grounds. The women would set up camp on the first day.

Saskatoon Berries

On the second day the berry branches would be broken, gathered and brought back to the women. This was also a way to prune the bushes so that new branches would grow the following year. The women would then hit the branches using a small stick and the berries would fall onto the hide.

Leaves, sticks and insects were picked out of the berries. For transport the berries were poured into a birch bark tray lined with large leaves. The leaves helped to absorb the juice of the squished berries. Once back at the camp the berries were washed in cold water and thoroughly dried. They were placed in rawhide storage bags or wrapped in bark for storage. They were usually stored in underground pits.