06/05/2026
Iyinimin is one of the boreal forest's most enduring shrubs, threading through acidic soils, muskegs, and open coniferous woods across Northern Turtle Island. Running your fingers across the leaves you will quickly realize why it is called the velvetleaf blueberry in English. Iyinimin carries smaller berries than regular supermarket blueberries, are tarter, and carry significantly more antioxidants.
Iyinimin is an important food source and is commonly eaten fresh, dried or prepared in a variety of different ways such as jams or syrups. Traditional preservation techniques include cooking in lard, drying in birch baskets or as an addition to pemmican. The whole plant carries medicinal value as well through leaf, stem, and root. By utilizing a variety of preparations Indigenous Peoples can treat headaches, skincare, vomiting and various aspects of Women's health with Iyinimin.
These food and medicinal relationships are a living tradition: Iyinimin is a gift that should be treated with care and respect like all traditional knowledge. If you are curious about the relationship Indigenous Peoples hold with this plant, medicine and food please follow these links:
https://loom.ly/yPjJzLs
https://loom.ly/Q8uzis8
Food and Medicinal Knowledge sourced from the book; Aboriginal Plant Use in Canada's Northwest Boreal Forest https://loom.ly/J89-zuw
đź“·EALT, ABMI
