Soil phytoliths as indicators of Sts'ailes (Coast Salish) stewardship legacies and history at Lhemqwó:tel in western Canada

Key Points

• Soil phytoliths indicate historical stewardship practices and cultural legacy in Lhemqwó:tel.
• The analysis reveals distinct plant material variations related to ancient land management strategies.
• Assessment using soil samples from the Sts'ailes territory shows diverse ecosystems reflecting cultural practices.
• These findings underscore the importance of recognizing indigenous relationship with land management, calling for further exploration.