Nancy Turner
Encyclopedia
Nancy Jean Turner is a notable North American ethnobiologist, originally qualified in botany
, who has done extensive research work with the indigenous peoples of British Columbia
, the results of which she has documented in a number of books and numerous articles.
She describes herself and her own work as follows
and, in doing so, describe her, her work, and her contributions as follows
Botany
Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses...
, who has done extensive research work with the indigenous peoples of British Columbia
First Nations in British Columbia
First Nations in British Columbia constitute a large number of First Nations governments and peoples in the province of British Columbia. Many of these Canadian aboriginal peoples are affiliated in tribal councils...
, the results of which she has documented in a number of books and numerous articles.
She describes herself and her own work as follows
"My speciality is ethnobotanyEthnobotanyEthnobotany is the scientific study of the relationships that exist between people and plants....
.. Much of my work is field-oriented, interviewing knowledgeable elders of Aboriginal communities in many parts of British ColumbiaBritish ColumbiaBritish Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, to document traditional uses, names, and perceptions of plants. Analyzing these data and comparing information from different regions and cultural groups has been a major focus of my research."
Order of British Columbia
The Government of British Columbia have admitted Nancy Turner to the Order of British ColumbiaOrder of British Columbia
The Order of British Columbia is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Instituted in 1989 by Lieutenant Governor David Lam, on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier Bill Vander Zalm, the order is administered by the Governor-in-Council and is intended to honour...
and, in doing so, describe her, her work, and her contributions as follows
"Nancy J. Turner .. is an internationally-distinguished scholar and scientist who has devoted her life to documenting the endangered knowledge of First Nations. As a pioneer in ethnobiology, her more than 25 years of research have focused on the diverse interactions of First Peoples in British Columbia with the ecosystems they depended on and the critical role of plant resources for foods, medicines and materials. Her research will be seen as a most valuable compendium of aboriginal culture and plant lore in British Columbia."
Books edited
- Deur, Douglas & Turner, Nancy J. (eds.) (2005) Keeping It Living, Traditions of Plant Use and Cultivation on the Northwest Coast of North America. Vancouver: UBC Press and Seattle: University of Washington Press.
Distinctions
- R.E. SchultesRichard Evans SchultesRichard Evans Schultes may be considered the father of modern ethnobotany, for his studies of indigenous peoples' uses of plants, including especially entheogenic or hallucinogenic plants , for his lifelong collaborations with chemists, and...
Award (1997)
- Order of British ColumbiaOrder of British ColumbiaThe Order of British Columbia is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Instituted in 1989 by Lieutenant Governor David Lam, on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier Bill Vander Zalm, the order is administered by the Governor-in-Council and is intended to honour...
(1999)
- Canadian Botanical Association’s Lawson Medal (2002)
- KillamThe Killam TrustsThe Killam Trusts were established in 1965 after the death of Mrs. Dorothy J. Killam, the wife of Izaak Walton Killam. Mr. Killam was a Canadian business figure. He died in 1955, but before his death he and his wife discussed in extensive detail a scholarship plan, on which the Killam Trusts were...
Research Fellowship (2007)
- William L. Brown Award for Excellence in Genetic Resource Conservation (2008)