Through the Squamish language and cultural traditions, learn about Indigenous plant relationships and how we are all connected to nature through plant-based foods, medicines, and materials. The best way to learn about plants is through observing and interacting with living examples. Join
Held by the Land author Leigh Joseph and her children in
The Land Knows Me, an educational, hands-on journey to discover all 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.
This essential and colorful introduction to Indigenous plant knowledge includes informative sidebars, reflection questions, and plant names in both Squamish and English so children can learn a new language.
The Land Knows Me concludes with a 15 plant profile directory featuring detailed plant illustrations and kid-friendly botanical drawings to aid in learning about the many great uses for plants and the native history behind them. You’ll meet plants like:
- Ḵwiĺayus (kw-ill-eye-os), Red-Flowering Currant, Ribes sanguineum
- Ḵ’emeláý (k-em-ill-eye), Bigleaf Maple, Acer macrophyllum
- Séliýaý (s-elle-ee-eye), Oregon Grape, Mahonia nervosa
- Xápaýay (hey-pie-eye), Western Red Cedar, Thuja plicata
- Ḵwe7úpaý (kw-oh-pa-eye), Pacific Crabapple, Malus fusca
- And more!
The directory also includes
important safety and proper harvesting information for parents who are looking for more opportunities to educate and engage with kids while getting to know the secrets of the land around us. Including mindfulness activities, how-to crafts, and yummy treats,
The Land Knows Me calls you back again and again to learn something new with each engaging read!
Follow the stream, cross the field, and step into a forest full of rich, botanical diversity rooted in history and tradition.
Leigh 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. As part of this mission, she founded Sḵwálwen Botanicals, an Indigenous business creating small-batch botanical skincare products based in British Columbia, Canada. Honoring traditional Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) plant knowledge, they incorporate wild-harvested plants and organic, high-quality ingredients. Leigh shares her Indigenous plant knowledge in written form in her book
Held by the Land. She is a member of the Squamish Nation.
Natalie Schnitter is an illustrator and artist living on the unceded traditional territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nation. Having graduated with a major in illustration from Emily Carr University of Art + Design in 2016, Natalie now enjoys using digital, oil paint, acrylic, watercolor, pencil crayon, and ink professionally. A lover of storytelling, Natalie’s work has been featured in films and tv shows—like Goosebumps, Fresh, The Imperfects, and more—across North America. Growing up on Vancouver Island, nature has always been a huge part of Natalie’s life and the inspiration behind her work. In her free time, Natalie enjoys painting, rock climbing, and spending time with her friends, family, and two cats.
