Story Slides

Dogbane Story Slide

Making Cordage from the Dogbane Plant

Follow along with the steps in the traditional Ohlone practice of making cordage, or twine rope, from the dogbane plant.

Pressed Dogbane Plant

Dogbane grows in oak woodland meadows, near creeks. It flowers in the spring.

Stems

In fall and winter, we gather the plant’s long stalks.

Bits of Bark

We start the process by removing its outer bark.

Stalks, Unsplit and Split

We split open the stalks.

Bark Strips

We strip off the fibrous inner bark—this becomes the cordage. Next, we soak the strips of bark in water.

Cordage

To make cordage, we hold one end, and roll the fibers against a thigh until they twist together.

Finished Necklace

We add clam shells or other beads to make a necklace.

Yerba Buena Story Slide

When I’m near you, oh when I’m near you, I think of the old ways, of my family, of my future. Our family has always loved you. You are alive, like us, strong and here, where you’ve always been. Your scent tells of yesterday, your scent tells of today, you

Rose Story Slide

Rose is a strong doctor—she takes care of us.

Plant Personalities Story Slide