Author Leigh Joseph has always been inspired by the cultural and interpersonal relationships between people and plants.

As a young girl visiting her great aunt and uncle close to Nanaimo on a large property near the river, she was fascinated by the way they lived off the land.

“My grandparents’ generation was told that they didn’t belong on this land, and they were dealing with so much trauma and stress that they didn’t have time to share the plant-based knowledge they had,” she says.

“The time I spent with my elders brought such a richness to my life. When I had kids, it became very important to me that they not only feel they belong here, but that they feel a connection to the land.”

Through the Squamish language and cultural traditions, Joseph’s latest book The Land Knows Me teaches young readers about Indigenous plant relationships and how we are all connected to nature through plant-based foods, medicines and materials.

Her new book was inspired by her first publication Held by the Land. Her premiere book is an introduction to responsible ways to identify and harvest plants in your area and teach how to grow a deeper connection with the land you live on through plants. Held by the Land won the 2023 Foreword INDIE Book Award.

“I wanted to deepen the interest and bring the story of me taking my kids and niece on a walk to life,” says Joseph, adding she was inspired by the book Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, which was adapted for young readers.

“It is so important that we make this knowledge accessible to the younger generation.”

The Land Knows Me is an educational, hands-on journey to discover the wonderful uses and gifts of the plants around us. Through the Indigenous traditions of Squamish culture, you’ll learn how to ground yourself on the land; how to introduce yourself in the Squamish language to your plant relatives; and the many teachings about plants, cultural stories and learnings related to the flora seen on your walk.

“In the book, the children each notice something about the environment,” says Joseph.

“Whether it’s putting pedals on a mosquito bite to calm it, watching pollinators at work or identifying all of the plants on a nurse log, it shares knowledge about the beauty of nature and things kids are curious about.”

The colourful introduction to Indigenous plant knowledge includes informative sidebars, reflection questions and plant names in both Squamish and English so readers young and old can learn the language.

“When I speak with people in the community, there is a deep desire to reconnect,” says Joseph.

“Plants are a beautiful, creative, nutritional, medicinal way to do that.”

The Land Knows Me concludes with a 15-plant profile directory featuring detailed plant illustrations and botanical drawings to aid in learning about the many great uses for plants and the native history behind them.

“People often ask me why the book isn’t called ‘I Know the Land’ and the reason is, the land is its own entity; its own character, in a way,” says Joseph.

“When we build a relationship and notice and care for the land, there is a recognition there. The land gets to know you when you interact in a way that considers non-human life and when you truly respect that.”

Joseph is an ethnobotanist, researcher and community activist whose aim is to contribute to cultural knowledge renewal in connection to Indigenous plant foods and medicines.

She says she worked closely with illustrator Natalie Schnitter to ensure the cover had visibly Indigenous elements on it.

“We included the hat, beaded earrings and baskets as elements that draw interest and curiosity,” she adds.

“It is easily identifiable for people who know those are Indigenous elements and interesting for those who don’t but want to learn more.”

Purchase The Land Knows Me by visiting skwalwen.com.

The Flourish School Food Society is an organization working in southern Vancouver Island that helps bring nourishing change to the way kids eat and learn about food. They support school gardens and promote good practice in school food services. They are currently working on school meal programs as well as introducing food literacy curricula to schools. flourishschoolfood.ca

Joining my daughter’s Embers Unit as a Girl Guide leader in September 2024 is something I have considered for a while. However, I wondered if I could find the time and energy to do the role justice.

While I was interviewing Seth Kaplan on my podcast “Rediscovering Connection,” he explained the value of volunteering to build trust and connection in your community, and to build diversity into our circles of connection. As a British expat here in Victoria, what he said aligned with my values and I felt it was important to pursue.

What I didn’t expect was an education on the art of play!

Every week at Girl Guides, we take turns leading the session, after the Junior Leaders opening games—like octopus and colour tag—and the opening circle. Seeing the girls respond to suggestions of play, and watching play naturally evolve, has been such a blessing. And being asked to instigate playful and engaging activities feels like an important skill to nurture, as a mom of two.

It is helping me set the stage at home. To suggest new games for us to play and to instigate playful activities when they have playdates. This really hit home when attending a fifth birthday party recently. There were no games, the children were simply left to it. Without judgement, I found myself being curious about the importance of structured play. Our little ones are often left wondering how to entertain themselves, so occasionally setting them up for play can help them find their way to joy with ease.

Inspiring Play Beyond the Screen

It can also be valuable to lead your kids towards success with an item or activity that allows them to play by themselves and take their imagination and creativity to a whole new level.

My eight-year-old has been asking for a device for six months and I am not ready to face this level of parenting battles yet. Instead, we decided to go back in time, and gave her a boombox CD player for Christmas. I used to love mine growing up, and want to encourage her love of music, without screens. Her excitement was unreal. This has led her to instigate dance parties, balloon parties and she has even taken initiative and fled to her room to listen to music when family life becomes overwhelming. A way for her to regulate, without intervention.

Seeing my daughter explore this new interest made me realize that finding a balance between structured play, playdates, family time, screens and solo time is a topic I should be bringing to my daughter’s Embers Unit. If my family is dealing with this, they probably are as well.

If you feel called to volunteer or to learn how to instigate structured play with your littles, why not consider Girl Guides, Scouts or even coaching your child’s sports team? In my experience, my girl loves having me there and I love seeing her play with her friends and witnessing a side to her that we don’t see at home.

What are you waiting for? Get out and play together!

Attending a local hockey game just got more awesome! At every Victoria Grizzlies home game in 2025 a deserving organization in the West Shore and Victoria will receive a $5,000 donation from Keycorp Developments to shine a light on and support the fantastic work they are doing.

victoriagrizzlies.com

PacificCARE is your one-stop hub for accessing inclusive childcare information, programs and resources, including affordable childcare, referrals, drop-in programs and parenting support workshops. Find the information you need by accessing them online or visit one of their eight locations across Vancouver Island.

pacificcare.ca

Shopping local and supporting your neighbours has always been important, but now more than ever people are looking to buy locally. Island Crafted is an online directory where you can easily find a huge variety of products and services that are locally created and offered throughout Vancouver Island. islandcrafted.ca

The Victoria Native Friendship Centre welcomes all members of the community to participate in the in-person and online services they offer. Their programs include community kitchens, breastfeeding support, men’s support groups, career guidance, family support and much more.

vnfc.ca

The Parent Support Services of BC offers workshops, parent support, a help line, events and many other resources for parents, grandparents and other caregivers. Access their services to help you on your parenting journey, or find out how you can help by lending your support.

parentsupportbc.ca