The Path of Land: Reconnecting with Our First Teacher

Part 4 of Walking the Four Paths

A Childhood Rooted in the Land

Growing up, my family didn’t talk much about our Métis roots, but the land spoke to us in quiet ways. My parents were avid gardeners, growing tomatoes, beans, and sunflowers in our backyard. We spent weekends fishing at the lake, foraging for wild berries, or camping under the stars. Though no one called it “ceremony,” these moments were sacred. They taught me to listen to the wind, respect the water, and care for the earth as a living relative.

If you’ve ever felt a deep calm while walking in the woods or tending a garden, you already understand the Path of Land. For Métis people, the land isn’t just a place, it’s a teacher, a healer, and a part of who we are.

Why Land Matters

The Métis have always been people of the land. Our ancestors were trappers, farmers, voyageurs, and bison hunters who thrived in relationship with the earth. Today, this connection remains vital. The land teaches us about balance, reciprocity, and resilience, lessons we carry into every part of our lives.

But colonialism, urbanization, and environmental destruction have disrupted many of these ties. The Path of Land is about rebuilding these connections, one step at a time.

Debunking Myths About Métis and Land

Myth 1: “You have to live in the bush or on a farm to connect with the land.”

Truth: Connection to land can happen anywhere, a city balcony garden, a local park, or even a potted plant on your windowsill. It’s about relationship, not location.

Myth 2: “Métis land-based practices are a thing of the past.”

Truth: Harvesting medicines, fishing, hunting, and gardening are living traditions. Many Métis people still practice them today, adapting to modern contexts

Myth 3: “If you don’t know the ‘right way’ to interact with the land, you’ll disrespect it.”

Truth: Humility and willingness to learn matter most. Start small, listen deeply, and let the land guide you.

What Does the Path of Land Look Like?

1. Learn from the Land

• Forage responsibly: Harvest wild berries, mushrooms, or herbs (where legal and sustainable).

• Garden: Grow traditional foods like squash, beans, or sage. Even a small container garden counts.

• Fish and hunt: If you have access, practice ethical harvesting, and give thanks for what you take.

  
  

2. Honour Traditional Knowledge

• Learn the Michif or local Indigenous names for plants, animals, and places.

• Support Indigenous-led land conservation efforts.

• Attend workshops on Métis land-based practices, like hide tanning or medicinal plant use.

  
  

3. Practice Reciprocity

• Leave offerings of tobacco or prayers when harvesting.

• Participate in community cleanups or tree-planting events.

• Advocate for Indigenous land rights and environmental justice.

  
  

4. Find Land in Urban Spaces

• Visit urban Indigenous gardens or cultural centers.

• Sit under a tree and listen to birdsong on your lunch break.

• Cook a meal with seasonal, locally grown ingredients.

  
  

Facing Barriers

Maybe you live in a city, far from traditional Métis territories. Maybe you worry about cultural appropriation or don’t know where to start. These barriers are real, but they’re not insurmountable.

• Start where you are: You don’t need vast wilderness. A single plant or daily moment of gratitude can be your beginning.

• Seek guidance: Reach out to Métis cultural organizations or Elders for mentorship.

• Take it slow: Relationship-building takes time. The land will meet you where you are.

  
  

Reflection Prompts

1. What’s one memory of feeling connected to the land (e.g., gardening, hiking, stargazing)?

2. How can you honour the land in your daily life, even in small ways?

3. What traditional land-based practice do you want to learn or reclaim?

   
   

The Land Remembers

The land holds the stories of our ancestors, the trails they walked, the rivers they paddled, the gardens they tended. When we reconnect with it, we reconnect with them. Whether you’re planting seeds, walking a forest path, or simply breathing in fresh air, you’re walking the Path of Land.

Next Article: The Path of Community: Finding Belonging Together

Walking Together, Forever Métis.

You Belong Here