The sources of the dyes employed were always vegetable. For
black the bark of alder was boiled in a solution of iron pyrites
or the root of the fern Athyrium filix-femina v. sitchense or
Polystichum munitum was used. A red dye was obtained from the
bark or twigs of the alder boiled in a wooden or coiled basket
vessel, or where available the juice of the seeding head of
Chenopodium capitatum, Strawberry Blite, was used; wild cherry
bark was dyed a dark reddish brown by burying in damp ground.

For yellow the lichen Evernia vulpina was boiled to extract the
colouring substance and was employed to dye wool, hair and cloth
as well as "splints" employed in coiled basketry. The many joins
of the various sections were concealed by twisted thread of whale
or caribou sinews. Great value was attached to these costly
garments, though every chief was expected to own one or more.
Travellers often refer to the demands made in exchange values
when endeavouring to secure a specimen. The art of weaving
Chilcat blankets is now lost.

+ e288.