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Chief siya, or Saskatoon Berry, is “the Chief for things growing on land.” Each bush is constructed of hundreds of individual shoots that are the result of years of growth. The saskatoon berry represents the notion of strength that results from being in one place for extended generations. In this way, Saskatoon berry also represents the unique relationship to the land, as the Syilx have resided on this land for thousands of years.
Chief Saskatoon Berry represents the community. All the different individual families of the community are represented in the individual shoots, leaves and berries of a Saskatoon bush. A community is a construct of individuals, but it is the working together of the individuals that creates community. A Saskatoon berry on its own is not a bush, nor is a shoot or a leaf. Put them together and they create the Saskatoon bush and provide a place of nourishment for others. One part of creation cannot be what it is created to be without the other parts of creation playing their proper role.
Also, just like the shoots in the Saskatoon bush need each other to continue to reproduce and grow outward in a circular pattern, so do people need each other to continue to reach their full potential. The berry has the potential inside to reproduce to add to the Saskatoon bush, but for this to happen the berry must give itself as food or fall to the ground and die before it can begin to give to the next generation. In the same way the Syilx have a tradition of giving of themselves and their possessions to see life passed on to subsequent generations and those living in the present generation. Also, the Saskatoon bush relies on the outside help of foraging animals or berry pickers for its continued growth, just as a healthy community is not totally isolated or independent but relies on outside connections with other communities for healthy economic, social and cultural exchange. There is a healthy interdependence within every community, and this helps to create community.