Responsible Practice Guidelines

Mamie’s Schoolhouse is situated on Unama’ki (Cape Breton Island), Nova Scotia, Canada. For use in my own textile practice, and in my very popular online and in-person courses, I grow and forage a wide variety of dye plants. As part of my land stewardship approach, I have re-introduced many native Acadian Forest ecosystem species, including staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina), witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), pagoda dogwood (Cornus alternifolia), wild raisin (Viburnum cassinoides), ninebark (Physocarpus), two different native cherries (Prunus spp.), bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), and a number of other perennials, creating food and habitat for insects and wildlife, and often providing sources of dye. I encourage you to also think about how you can help to restore and nurture the plant habitats that are native to your particular region.

~ Mel Sweetnam