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Module 3 Challenge Task E - Kayla Palmateer

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Module 3 Challenge Task E - Kayla Palmateer

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I am fortunate enough to live in a beautiful rural area with an abundance of outdoor places to explore. After this week's lesson content, the reading, and the podcast I am now observing the land around me through an Indigenous lens and asking myself the questions from the reading: "what happened here? what is happening here? and what could happen here?" (Harwood et al., 2020, p. 30).

Much of the land surrounding me is owned by families who are descendants from European settlers. Posing the question, "what happened here?" has urged me to explore the Indigenous history of my rural community. During my nature walk, I noticed how large some of the trees are; their height and the width of the trunks on the hardwoods. I couldn't help but think of the age of those trees and the change that those trees have witnessed through time. If only trees could talk, right? What can these non-human aspects of our life teach us about the land we take for granted? What happened to the Indigenous people who walked this land long before my time on Earth? There is a historical homestead, O'Hara Mills, approximately 20 minutes from my home. It is one of the first farms in the area and dates back to the 1800s. It is a public conservation site and I have set an intention to learn about its history during my next visit. I hope to learn about the possibility of Indigenous connections to the land and homestead.

The next question, "what is happening here?" has provoked some very sensitive thoughts about the land and how humans have taken it for granted. I see the ever expanding urban sprawl happening in cities all over Canada and how hardworking farmers are being persuaded by the almighty dollar to sell their land. But then I think about landownership and I question, who truly owns the land? What does a piece of paper with your name on it and legalities of the landownership truly mean? In my rural community I noticed that people are beginning to sever their lots and sell them to make a profit. I think today, the social construct of money and greed unfortunately rule the minds of most humans. We have lost our connection to what the land has given us.

Lastly, "what could happen?" has got me thinking about the pastures, farmland, and vacant lots I see in my rural community. Through a sustainability lens I often think about how communities could be growing and harvesting their own food, which in turn would lessen the dependence on grocery store produce. We could begin to learn and teach our children how to utilize our local resources, cultivating the land, and caring for it, when it return it provides us with the food and water we need to survive. There is an excellent Netflix series called Down to Earth with Zac Efron; he travels all over the world exploring how other countries find healthy, sustainable ways to live. It offers a perspective on the world most people do not see.

I was moved by Leanne Simpson's quote in our reading about the "Elders' relationship with, and knowledge, of the land" (Harwood et al., 2020, p. 31). Her description of mapping and documenting the changes that occurred from human forces was heartbreaking. One by one, we need re-establish our relationship with the land, be thankful for what it provides to us, and begin caring for it through and Indigenous lens.

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After this week's learning, I learned to "listen to the stories of the land". Having this shift in perspective of nature really changed the way I felt when I was among nature, as well as the way I interacted with nature. For my nature walk, I visited the beach at sunset. After having a tiring day at work, being at one with nature and listening to the crashing of the waves against the shore was really calming for me. As I began to calm down and decompress from the busy day I had, I started to look at the organisms I could find hidden amongst the rocks and little pools around the shore. It was incredible to see how the crabs interacted with each other as well as with the sea. Overall, as I began to develop my spiritual and emotional connection with nature as opposed to merely relying on the physical, I started to learn from nature in a way that was applicable to my own life.

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Last week I took my dog out for a walk in our nearby park. Usually, I don't enjoy the snow that much, but after I read "UNSETTLING SETTLERS’ IDEAS OF LAND AND RELEARNING LAND WITH INDIGENOUS WAYS OF KNOWING IN ECEFS" I started thinking a bit differently. Nature has been so kind and we humans are not grateful to nature. Even with the snow, the park was looking so beautiful. I was wondering what this place would have been hundreds of years back. Definitely, there would not be this much litter, might be this was a dense forest before. The trees were looking very beautiful with wet snow on them. I could see a squirrel sitting on a tree very peacefully but when it saw me passing by it went inside other trees. I was wondering whether this squirrel is scared of me. I was wondering if the trees had emotions, they would have been scared of humans too.

The reading had a long-lasting effect on the outlook of how I was looking at nature. The indigenous knowledge which was concealed from all of us has given us new dimensions of nature. Our community includes the trees around us, and the small pond close to us was a new learning. I believe we should be grateful to our nature and care about it for our own sustainability.

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Module 3 Challenge Task E - Zainab Niazi

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Module 3 Challenge Task E - Zainab Niazi

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Based on my understanding that "all land is Indigenous," my way of thinking about nature has changed. With the world evolving, respect for nature has become less and less. People are so fixated on the development of the world and progress that we don't understand how much-sacred land, resources, animals and their homes we are hurting. Since high school, I have been learning so much about Indigenous peoples, their traditions, stories and way of life that it inspired me to be respectful and RESPONSIBLE for how I treat nature and the animals in that ecosystem.

When taking a walk around our small forest behind our neighbourhood, it made me think of one question. Was someone originally on this land (native) looking at this tree the way I did? Was someone looking at the same sky as I did long ago? Was there ever a creek that ran through this forest? Was this a home to a big Indigenous tribe, or was this a significant hunting ground? Was it full of life with tall trees and once full of animals that are now extinct? Or was this part of Canada still in the ice age? As we know that Eastern Canada was once part of a significant ice age. What did this land look like? I've always been a curious thinker when it came to nature. It wasn't so much about the ground but rather the people who were native to the land we now reside on.

It's sad to see how much European civilization has taken away from Indigenous people: their stories, future, land & their resources. Resources that once fed their tribes, resources they respected, and worse, the separation of their tribes. In Canada and other countries, settler invaders aimed to reshape these regions in the likeness of those they had left behind while violently displacing Indigenous peoples from their homelands. Canada's political and economic landscapes have historically and now been shaped by the theft of Indigenous lands and waterways and the development of those lands and waters by governments and businesses.

There was the logical side of my thinking and questioning but also a side where I allowed my fantasies to set in. I wish I had been born in an era where development never existed. No cars driving by, no lights around me for miles away, and it's just a clear night sky with me, the howling of the cold wind, the trees, its animals and the moon. How relaxing and soothing would that have been? Appreciating the goodness of the world and what God has given to us. It reminded me of the Haudenosaunee tradition (giving thanks to Earth, Mother Earth and the nature surrounding the Earth) I learned in my high school Indigenous class and ECEC 2F95 course.

In all honesty, I wish people come to realize that this land is not a resource for development. The Earth is not a resource of continuous obstruction. Humans are not the only living thing on this planet. I hope the next generation keeps the beauty of this beautiful planet Earth. We only have one home. We cannot make the same mistakes our previous generation made. I hope to see this forest not being torn out for new developmental houses. I hope this forest remains for future generations to see and feel peace when they walk here—something to clear their heads on: something to appreciate and love.

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After listening to the podcast with Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer I began to look at my nature walk differently. The sound of the rocks hitting the water could be heard and interpreted as a rhythm or a beat and to say the water was making music. The air was cold, wet and damp and felt like an emotion or scene setting weather. I began to think of the idea that I could not see the end of the river, but I knew that was not the ending. I thought of the wild life that depends on this water source to life and survive. I was also left with wonders and questions about items you can see in this picture. How long had this river run through this area? Were the rocks once solid pieces and the water had created the cracks and separations? I am also curious to come back again in the spring and experience the flowers and greenery that would shadow the sides of the water. I took a lot of note while listening to this podcast, mostly because there were so many ideas and reflections that stood out to me but I believe that the idea that all land is indigenous, is to acknowledge that the land is a doorway to wonder and that the earth and its wonders should not be about science but a spiritual and emotional connection.

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Last week, I took my nature walk with my dog where I was able to enjoy being outside and seeing him run through the snow. This week,  I decided to take my walk by myself to further reflect and gain a new perspective of the area. On my walk, I was particularly aware of the disruption to nature everywhere I turned. I was curious what this land naturally looked like and what aspects of the land were stripped away when the park was created. There is a dirt path I entered off the road that leads to the open fields and gated dog park. Tree's surrounded me on either side, confined to the trail as a metal linked fence divides the trail and the buildings behind. As I walked, I could hear squirrels running around in the trees and I wonder how far they could travel if there were not as many barriers to get through. When I reached the open field, I typically feel a sense of relief; being in open space with cool air on my face. This time was different. I looked at the open space with dirt hills covered in a blanket of snow and fences sectioning off the areas. I noticed the benches and covered structures across the field. I was saddened. It is a different realization when you notice your nature is not natural. I wonder what this area used to look like. Was is forest for miles? What animals lived here? What animals were pushed out? What plants are native to the area? What plants were taken away?

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Based on the understanding & premise 'that all land is Indigenous,' 'listening to the stories of the land,' and ideas about the erasure of Indigenous stories of the land, my perspective has changed in many ways. My sit spot activity was completed at the gorge in Niagara Falls. My experience has shifted as I am now thinking about the history of the land. Sitting on the rock, I think, "How did this get here?" Was the rock naturally here? How did this rock come to be? Has society continued to alter the natural beauty of the gorge? The gorge separates the United States from Canada in Niagara Falls. This makes me think it's being used as a border. Was it always a border? Or did people use it as a way of transportation? Used the water simultaneously for sustaining life? It also made me think about the future. Will humans continue to alter the gorge? Although they have only added some rocks and fences, who's to say what it will look like in 10 years? I hope we can preserve our beautiful land and respect it for what it is without altering it. As we grow, we seem to be forgetting to thank our earth for being so mesmerizing.

Additionally, I thought about the stories connected to this land. Was it once a place of hunting? What kind of memories do people have here? Do any Indigenous elders have stories about this land? To me, this land has many memories. I come here often to hike with my boyfriend, friends, and family. When I hike here, I feel connected to nature and feel like I am where I belong.

I also found an article that refers to Niagara Falls as a spiritual ground. I thought this could be useful in finding out more about the lands stories.

https://www.niagarafallstourism.com/media-kit/story-ideas/indigenous-niagara-falls/

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Based on the understanding & premise 'that all land is Indigenous', 'listening to the stories of the land' my perspectives have changed. While sitting at the beach I thought about what the land would have looked like and was there use to the land before it had become a public beach. Though this land has been a beach probably for quite some time I wonder if there was a time the water came inland more, if there was more sand area or even if was there once nature everywhere like a forest near where there, were there animals all round where the businesses and houses are now? Did the water get used as a way of transportation by Indigenous people? Thinking in the future I thought about how are they going to help sustain this land due to change, global warming, etc. Dr. Robin Wall Kimmer said, "We can't see the beauty of the world without the wounds." and "Earth is a gift to pass on." I believe that both these quotes are true. The beaches, mountains, and forests all have their own unique beauty but the human species has put wounds into the beauty, like seeing a forest that has not been touched and areas where they have been cut down or polluting the water with garbage. These are just a few examples. As Dr. Robin said, Earth is a gift to pass on to future generations and in order to be able to do that we must learn the stories of the land, acknowledge that the land is Indigenous land and also help sustain the land as the land has helped sustain us. I have so many fond memories in this area growing up and continue to do so now but I will also be looking at the land in a different light as well.

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While shifting how I view nature and land, and looking at North America as Turtle Island instead of specific colonized countries, I recognize the land I stand on is Indigenous land. During my nature walk I wanted to take in the world around me, and found myself wondering what the land use to look like and how it has changed over the years. During my walk I wanted to be close to water and I took my dog with me. I find I feel at peace when I am near bodies of water, and taking in the fresh air and sounds around me I felt my body fully relax. During my walk I heard the waves of water hitting the shore line, the wind, and birds. When looking at land through an Indigenous lens I have learnt to respect and care the land I stand on. It is essential to make conscious every day efforts into preserving the land for future generations. As  a RECE it is vital in my practice to teach children about nature and how to care for our earth. In the chapter three reading the Indigenous "seven generations concept" and how our actions in now will effect seven generations with now really stuck out to me (Harwood et al., 2020,Ch.3, p.28). Conserving the land for future generations is vital because the land provides food, water, medicines, and teachings that will disappear if we do not care for the land in the same way it provides for us (Harwood et al., 2020, Ch.3, p.28). I look at nature and land in a new way, and I plan to bring Indigenous teachings into my practice working in ECE. I believe in the importance of sustainable living and teaching for the longevity of our planet.

References

Elliott, S., Ärlemalm-Hagsér, E., & Davis, J. M. (2020). Researching early childhood education for sustainability: Challenging assumptions and Orthodoxies. Routledge.

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Module 3 Challenge Task E Response - Brooke Bechtel

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Module 3 Challenge Task E Response - Brooke Bechtel

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As I reflected upon my first nature sensitivity walk and the thoughts that were running through my mind, I found that I wasn't as respectful to the land that I was on as much as I should have been. After listening to the podcast and this weeks readings and coming to the full understanding 'that all land is Indigenous' my nature sensitivity walk thoughts changed drastically. My first walk I was focused on my surroundings, such as the happiness that the ducks brought me, and the smells and sounds that I was experiencing, and although valid, there is much more to the land that I was on than what I stated above. The depth to my thoughts the second time were much deeper. For example, I thought to myself what did this land look like years ago, how long has this land been here and how did it come to be? What is the reasoning behind the name of the park? How has climate change and human impact affected this land? As my walk continued onto the island I also reflected upon the beautiful water and sounds that the flowing water was making, I thought to myself, how does this water contribute to the environment and wildlife, how can we protect it and what if any, action needs to be taken? All these questions were so deep in thought, opposed to my first walk where I was almost selfish and not taking the land into consideration. I believe that humans such as myself need to understand how our impacts affect nature and respect the Indigenous land in which we are privileged to walk and live upon. In doing so, it is the hope that in the years and generations to come, they can experience the beauty that the precious Indigenous land has to offer.

After my walk, I decided to do some research and found out that years ago, a family lived in one of the houses located near the park from 1943 to 1971. More on this family can be found here: https://www.sootoday.com/columns/remember-this/remembering-the-family-that-lived-in-bellevue-park-9-photos-5494292. I find to so interesting how the Indigenous land we walk upon has so much history that often goes unrecognized. I believe that humans such as myself need to understand how our impacts affect nature and respect the Indigenous land in which we are privileged to walk and live upon. In doing so, it is the hope that in the years and generations to come, they can experience the beauty that the precious Indigenous land has to offer. In addition, providing stories such as the Hanlan’s.

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My sensitivity walk for the week is something new that I had never experienced. Each day I  am walking my boys to school, as opposed to their whole lives us taking a care in stressful traffic.
As we are walking I have been talking to them about nature and observing the things around them. Each day they are finding new things.
I myself as a Canadian that has been away from the winter for over 11 years have been learning to take in the new weather.
On this day, as I walked I heard the footsteps of boots on the sidewalk.
I felt the light freezing rain falling on my cheeks and could hear the same rain hitting against my coat.
I had noticed this tree before on our walks but had not looked at it the way that I did on this day.
My 8 year old son looked and the tree and said "mommy stop and look at this tree" so I did.
He then asked me, "what does it remind you of?" I immediately became thrilled that in less than a week he was already taking a closer look into nature.
I then told him my ideas and he said, "mom it looks like a big old man". He then went on to explain why he thought this.
As we stared at the tree, I explained that many other people had seen the same tree, probably before the sidewalk was built and before there were roads. What a great walk it was.

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Ever since I went on my first nature sensitivity walk in week one, I knew one day I would do a walk by my heart garden.  I feel like this is a perfect week to share my heart garden walk.  I actually created this garden some time ago to raise awareness about the horrors of Residential Schools as well as honour all the memories.  Each heart carried a message or memory from Residential Schools.
As I came back here to revisit, I was so proud that my hearts were still in the exact spots I had planted them.  Walking back here this time left me with lots of questions as I was thinking and looking from a different lens.  I realised that I should probably start paying more attention and be more aware of the nature around and treat it better.  Reflecting our nature is a huge thing that I would like to keep incorporating.  I began thinking "I essentially planted these hearts on indigenous land, how neat".  My walk this time around was a great time to reflect on how things got here, who put them there, who did this or did that.  Then I began to think of the what if's? what if all this didn't exist, what would we do?.
I also began to think what this land looked like years ago? who was here? what was here? I felt like my walk this time around had a lot of thought, it was a deeper train of thought, with lots of questions. When I looked at the garden I started I felt sad and heartbroken. As I thought of all these questions, I felt like I heard the wild life more. It felt like when I was deep in thought, I listened to the birds for calmness.

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Yesterday I decided to revisit the park where I took my first nature sensitivity walk, only this time I took time to appreciate and respect that all land is Indigenous. I thought about the thousands of people who have lived on and cared for the land long before us and those whose land was taken away from them through colonization.
It was an overcast day, the temperature hovering around 0 degrees. This time I observed ducks, geese, seagulls, and swans in the water, while some ducks chose to stand on the ice. I was in awe that only part of the lake was frozen, and the birds were still able to enjoy a swim. I stood near the water for ten minutes and enjoyed listening to the geese honk, and splash their wings. One goose even swam right up to me. I reflected on the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving address which is a tradition amongst the Haudenosaunee where they give thanks to all parts of creation that do their duty each day including all the people on Earth, Mother Earth, the waters, wind, trees, bird life, Grandmother Moon, the Sun and the Stars (Frieda Jacques, Turtle Clan) and felt gratitude for the water, trees and the birds that were in front of me.  I recognized that trees give us oxygen and food, are used for medicinal purposes, and provide habitat for animals. How amazing is that?  In order to ensure a sustainable future, I think we have to acknowledge the land, respect it, and care for it, not just use it as a resource.

Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swJs2cGNwIU&ab_channel=nysmuseum

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Seeing through the perspective that all land is Indigenous changed the way I view the environment where I was walking. I now thought about what the land near the creek looked like many years ago. How has it changed over time? There is a history of Indigenous stories about the small buffalo jump near where I conducted my sit spot last week. What was the importance of the creek for the survival of the Indigenous peoples? Today, I noticed the human-designed elements along my walk, like the shale and paved pathways, rock berms to prevent subsequent flooding, and planted evergreens (some of which are dying). Indigenous knowledge reminds us to listen to the land, for she has a story to tell. Would those evergreen trees naturally grow where they have been planted? Are they the native species to the area? Why are some dying? Were the human-created elements, such as the berms and raised pathways, only for humans' survival? I also noticed humans walking dogs along this path leave behind their excrement. The disease and sickness that can be spread to Earth by leaving behind a dog's scat near a body of water sit unwell with me. Seeing many deer today by the creek, in connection with the land feeding and drinking, helped me think deeper about this land we share. In this shared space, we all must live in a reciprocal relationship with Earth, just as the Indigenous. Listening to Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer's podcast this week has strengthened my connection to the land, especially in the language of animacy for nature rather than "it" in the English language and not just scientific but the importance of spiritual and emotional knowledge. I wonder what the deer feel as the land they know has changed. In this area where I took this photo over the last few years has been the development of townhouses, the fencing of the emergency services all that back onto the creek. What would the Indigenous elders that knew the land before it looks as it does today say about our relationship with Earth's land, animals, and plants?
A great resource that I learned about in professional learning last year was Dr. Hopi Martin and his work of Listening to Land as Teacher in ECE https://edgeofthebush.ca/land-as-teacher/

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This week, I'm walking through a snowy field that my parents own on our family farm. This land has been worked, fed many, and provided homes for animals and plants.

As I sit here looking at this picture I wonder to myself what did this look like before we were here was it all trees or fields where the indigenous harvested their crops?

This week has me curious now about what has been before us. I found peace and calm when I thought about these questions to ask myself as I was going for my walk all the way back to that tree line which is about 2 km.

As I continue to walk I do start thinking about how we have taken so much from this land and never returned anything. What I mean by this is we plant things in the field, we harvest the crop then we must cultivate the soil and do it again and again and again. We use the dirt from this land we use the nutrient from the dirt to grow something that we profit off of. I have never seen a perspective like this until this week's content which I am very grateful for as now I am seeing different perspectives and feeling much more grateful for what we have and for what the land allows us to have.

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Going to my previous nature walk from the first week of this course with the understanding and viewpoint that "all land is Indigenous", made my experience quite different. Before I had focused on my senses and the land around me as how it was as I stood there. I had heard children playing in the playground behind me and traffic in the distance from the road.
Now being in the same place with a different perspective and focus made me consider things I had not on my past walk. With this different perspective I wondered what this space looked like without the road next to it, the playground behind it and even the condition of the beach in front of me. I wondered even if this beach would have been there as it currently is or was this beautiful piece of nature that I look out on, crafted by man? I also reflect and wonder about the people who first lived here in the island's original state and wonder what their lives would have been like. Had they cared for, appreciated and taken advantage of the nature around them in different ways? Ways more of survival and awe than for profit.
This experience has made me see the tropical nature around me as something that is not owned by a group of people that now live here and is used for profit, but something that is of the world and creation as a whole.

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Today I went on a nature walk to an area where my family used to own property. The neighbouring property has a cabin on it and the owners don’t mind if I visit. I felt that this walk, in an area where I used to be rooted, might feel more meaningful for a post about the concepts of human exceptionalism and the history of land. I know there is a bear and a bobcat in this area and they don’t much care who owns the space. I know that the trilliums in the woods just want space to grow in the spring and the woodpeckers with their bright red plumes want their tall tall trees. I know the sound the birch bark makes when you peel some of it to make a fire. I know the best spots to find the frogs along the boggy shore. I know where my grandma’s Lupin seeds flower every June.

The lake that edges this property is a man-made lake in the LaCloche foothills. I learned to swim here and caught my first fish in Agnew but the lake was put here to move logs and power the hydro dam for a local paper mill that supports my small town.  What was here before the lake? Did people live on this land before it was flooded? I am sure many animals did. I know there is much less wild land in this area even then when I was a child.

I have walked trails as a child, and along the local beach picking up litter. I love this piece of outdoors. I wish I could have land here again one day and that I could protect it. For today it was nice to look at the snow on the trees and wear out my dog in the fresh powder.

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For my walk this week, I am near my office by Brock University. I took the time to visit the First Nations Peace monument. This monument was built to honor the First Nations people's role in the founding of Canada. It is a monument of reconciliation and an acknowledgment of the Two Row Wampum Agreement, where both First Nations and Europeans agreed to walk on this land together as equals.

This monument is right around the corner from Brock. It's near Decew falls and Morningstar Mill. I will share a link below. Fellow Brock Students, can I ask a favor of all of you? If you ever go to this monument, can you pick up garbage around it? When I was just there, I saw many cigarette butts, and an empty cigarette pack under one of the benches; there were a couple of empty cans of beer there too. I get that it's a remote place with benches to sit, but the idea is to reflect on the importance of the First Nations, who helped make this country what it is today. I'm not blaming any of us in this class, but in the spirit of reconciliation and sustainability, can you encourage your friends not to litter, especially don't litter in a sacred Indigenous space? I did take the time to clean up as much garbage as I found; I didn't see a garbage can there, so I just took it back to the dumpster at my office.

On another note, I think it is also important for everyone to take the time to learn about the Indigenous People who live within their communities. And don't assume we are all the same. We have different ceremonies, creation stories, ways of life, and historical experiences.

In Niagara, we have a true blend of Indigenous Peoples. We have a lot of Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe First Nations people. This land is sacred land for many First Nations. It's also a contemporary home for Metis and Inuit people. One-third of Indigenous People in Niagara are Metis. We have an active and thriving Metis community here. While this is not our historic land, many of our grandparents moved to Niagara for a better life for their families.

I say this because for many when they think of Indigenous Peoples, they think only of First Nations, and when they do, it's often jumping to stereotypes. Please take the time to learn about what is authentic. That is genuine reconciliation.

Also, learn about our harvesting practices. Every fall at Short Hills, there is an annual Haudenosaunee deer harvest. This is a Treaty Right for the Six Nations of the Grand River, yet almost every year, they receive pushback and protests. Even though I am Metis and my historical harvesting homeland in Winnipeg, I think it is very important to be an ally and stand with my Haudenosaunee cousins as they exercise their inherited treaty rights. Their deer harvest is sustainable. Short Hills can become overpopulated with deer, which can make them sick. Their ways of harvesting and land-based practices make our lands healthier.

First Nations Peace Monument: https://www.friendsoflaurasecord.com/2018/02/03/fiest-nations-peace-monument/anishinaabe

Haudenosaunee Right to Hunt: https://sixnationsrighttohunt.com/

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This week I decided to revisit the area where I took my first nature walk. However, this time as I walked I took time to appreciate and respect the Indigenous land that I was on. I thought about the many Indigenous People who have cared for the land and lived on the land long before us. I also thought about how the land was taken from the Indigenous People through colonization.
As I was walking I could feel the cool air hit my skin. I could see animal tracks in the snow and I came across this beautiful pond. Only part of the pond was frozen. I enjoyed thinking about the different animals that would normally be swimming in this pond. I reflected on the teachings that we have learned in our Indigenous Culture course such as the Thanksgiving Address. This is a tradition amongst the Haudenosaunee where they give thanks to the different things they have. This includes, trees, fish, plants, Mother Earth, the stars etc. It felt nice to be able to reflect and give thanks to the different things in my life, including the nature around me. I gave thanks to the trees for giving us oxygen and for the different plants that we have. In order to ensure a sustainable future, I believe more people need to appreciate and reflect on the blessings that the earth has given us. As well, we must respect and care for our land like many Indigenous People do/did. We must treat the world as our home.
-Olivia Arnold

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Challenge Task E: Indigenous Worldviews - Amanda De Jesus

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Challenge Task E: Indigenous Worldviews - Amanda De Jesus

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When I was on my nature sensitivity walk, I focused and reflected on what my senses were picking up. For example, I was paying attention to the sounds of the waves and the touch of a warm breeze against my cheeks.

Observing and reflecting on my nature walk through the lens that "all land is Indigenous" made me question a few things. How did the sand between my toes get here? The crab that I took a picture of on my walk above, have they and their species always been here? Were they forced out of their natural habitat due to tourists? Are there other species that were forced to migrate from their habitats due to tourism? Are those boats in the water carrying tourists causing trauma to any life underwater? Is climate change going to increase the level of the water? Has anyone ever lived here?

When reflecting on the walk I took, I couldn't help but think about how this natural land was affected by tourism and what lives have been affected by it. It saddens me especially finding out that beaches in Jamaica are primarily man made for resorts. I'm curious to know if there was any Indigenous history on that land, but I'm no longer there. 😓

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In Module 1 I took a walk on a trail in Hamilton Ontario. Based on my understanding of "That All Land Is Indigenous"  it made my walk feel the difference this time.

This time it was colder than the last time I was here, it had a bit of a chilly breeze and it was in the negatives this time, to the point where i was about to see these beautiful icicles.

I started thinking about the history of where I was walking. When I first got to the trail there is a huge park and across the street are houses, I then started to think about what this part of the land used to look like before they put all this construction there and if one day this trail and all the beautiful dames and walkways will no longer be there because one day everything is going to be just houses, businesses and roads. While walking I started to feel a bit arrogant because I never put into perspective how much our land has truly changed and how a majority of our land doesn't even belong to us. That we have altered so many of these natural beautiful things, and how much we have disrespected things that aren't even ours maybe a year from now, what is this place going to look like?

This walk made me realize how much things have changed, there are times when I will be driving around with my mom and she will share with me different things around the city that have been there since she was a child, and how some of the things she's seen have changed so much since she was younger and how things have still remained the same. It makes me think about when I have future children, how much of our "natural" things will be here for me to show them?

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M3 Challenge Task: Indigenous Worldviews 

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M3 Challenge Task: Indigenous Worldviews 

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This year has brought a large lens to Indigenous Ways through another class, 2F95, for which I am so grateful for a new view of our land in Canada. This week I took time to have a Canadian sensitivity walk to absorb the experience. Through beginning to understand the Indigenous People’s loss and look at the land as the land of The Creator where we all are only visitors. Our job is to our Ancestors and future generations to treat nature and our earth with respect and honour.

I see much disruption of the land with the growing population, increased houses, and constant renovations; where they want to rebuild homes is constant in my area of Ontario. The parks often need more trees, but there are still animals around. It makes me think about the deer, bears, and animals that once were hunted in our area for survival and are now driven away for buildings. I think about how we will ever get some control of our population and how we need to think sustainably about our future lives.

One of the videos I watched in 2F95 mentioned: “needing to look at our land as though we are seeing it for the first time and possibly the last time since we never know what tomorrow brings” (Hill, 2023), which struck me as part of an impactful way of living. This spiritual connection to our land is deeply embedded in the podcast with Robin Wall Kimmerer (2016) in questioning why the world is so beautiful and the combination of her botany knowledge combined with ancient Indigenous culture to cast beautiful knowledge on two worlds of thought.

A great resource I can across is Ensia for educators and parents, combining Indigenous beliefs with western science at
https://ensia.com/articles/environmental-education-traditional-ecological-knowledge-native-science/

Reference

Hill, C. (Jan 16, 2023). Lesson 15 Education gap. Retrieved from 2P95, Brock University. YouTube.
Kimmer, R. (2016). The intelligence in all kinds of life. On Being Studios. Retrieved from https://soundcloud.com/onbeing/robin-wall-kimmerer-the-intelligence-in-all-kinds-of-life

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Last week I took my nature walk along a creek by my house. Going back and repeating this walk was nice. Taking the time away from school to walk out in nature is always refreshing. This week when going on my nature walk I focussed on the mindset that all land is Indigenous. When walking along the creek it was nice to see all the nature but there were also a lot of large houses that many rich people owned nearby within view. This made me think how Indigenous People care about nature and wouldn’t have all these large buildings near spaces of nature. Where once was a forest along the creek now stands large houses. While I was thinking about this another thought came into my mind, what did all this used to look like? I pondered this while continuing this walk. I took a moment to rest on a rock and take in the air. I heard the water rushing down the creek and the sound of the aggressive wind. I watched the water rush fast down the stream and the branches on the trees wiggle in the wind. Finally, while on this walk I remembered my practice as an early childhood educator. It is important as an educator, that I educate the children in my care about how this land is Indigenous and the importance of nature. Ensuring that children know that this land is Indigenous land is a step towards creating reconciliation between the Canadian people and Indigenous People.

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The trees as a reminder to stay grounded and  connected to our roots

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Challenge Task E: Indigenous Perspectives Jewel Pascoe

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Challenge Task E: Indigenous Perspectives Jewel Pascoe

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After engaging in this week's content my usual walk took on a new perspective as I considered and tried to listen to its stories and consider some of the Indigenous teachings. As I started my walk, I wanted to use it as a time to reflect and consider what stories the land has to share and holds. As I saw the apple trees in the field I wondered what other trees and wildlife inhabited the field in the past and how they flourished and supported the Indigenous people as the apple trees support my community now. Listening to the sound of the water flowing across the rocks in the creek and looking around the creek bed I noticed the absence of wildlife and healthy trees and so on and wonder if the development of the land near the creek contributed to its present condition. I also considered the past and how it would have provided the Indigenous Peoples and animals with nourishment. As I continued walking, I felt the cold wind across my face reminding me of the snowstorm due to arrive later today. I noticed and considered the emptiness and absence of animals, birds and squirrels, as I walked making me wonder how big the impact our actions have had on the animals and how little respect we have shown the land. Walking past a stump of a tree recently cut down simply because it was too close to hydro wires demonstrated a lack of respect for the land and its stories. I considered other solutions which would support the environment and land. This experience opened my eyes to the disrespect and exploitation of nature, and we have grown accustomed to nature being there for us to use and have without learning to love and care for it the way it does for us. This practice awakened a passion inside of me to strive to foster a love and respect for nature and take time to listen and try and see the stories and lessons they are teaching us about themselves and others. I now see my neighbourhood in a new way, encouraging me to listen and research some of its stories and past to understand where I live in a new way to build more respect.

-Jewel Pascoe

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Module 3: Challenge Task E: Ashleigh Mac Adam

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Module 3: Challenge Task E: Ashleigh Mac Adam

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As I began thinking back to the nature sensitive walk I took a couple weeks ago in Thorold, Ontario, and the pictures I have, I thought this picture was most fitting to "that all land is Indigenous" as it made my thoughts wonder to who's land my boots were on. I took this picture because I was happy the sun was shining on my back making me warm, and I could finally see my shadow after a few weeks of no sunshine. This picture made me wonder what land was there before the sidewalk that my feet were on and then it made me think of all the developing land that was around, and what use to be here instead of all these houses. This made me realize that where I live in, Orangeville Ontario, I know that I am on treaty lands and territory of the Williams Treaty Nations and the Mississauga’s of the Credit First Nation, but where I visit most often, Thorold Ontario, I do not know who’s land I am on. Out of respect of the land, I acknowledged that on my walk I was on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples. Also, on my first post I discussed how everything was quiet as university students were resting from their Saturday nights, and I realized that I did not hear many animals, which made me wonder which animals were present on this land before it was turned into a neighbourhood filled with loud students! I have dedicated myself to revisit this walk I took a couple weeks ago, the next time I am there, and listen more for the animals, appreciate the fresh air more, and think about what was on the land before the neighbourhood was there.

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This week my walk was in a different area. I was in Vaughn, ON. visiting family. This week my little cousin and I decided to go on a little nature sensitivity walk. Before we went I was telling him to make sure he tries to connect with nature and take in the things around him and to use his five senses. While we were on this walk I was thinking of this weeks content ‘all land is Indigenous’ and ‘listening to the stories of land’, and ideas about the erasure of Indigenous stories of the land. My experience felt different this time I feel like I was able to appreciate the area more and all I was seeing. Near by there was a bridge and a river underneath. My little cousin and I had stopped on the bridge and he asked me "how the bridge and water got there" and we came up with all sorts of different ideas, but I had realized he had a good question. I then started questioning myself wondering
Who was here before?
What did this land look like years ago?
What can I do to appreciate the land more?
I was also connecting to the fact that "all land is indigenous." therefore, I was wondering who's land are we on and how can we show appreciation to this land. As we continued I remembered learning about thanksgiving address, I explained it to my little cousin, and we talked about what we were thankful for that day. One of the things was that we were thankful for was this beautiful land we were walking on and all it offered. Overall, this walk was very eye opening and I enjoyed the calmness and thinking we did.

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We had a huge snow storm here in Oakville (I think it reached a lot of areas near us too!) This is the playground that I am normally in every afternoon for work. The kids and I loved the snow; building snowmen, snowballs, snow angels, snow/sand castles. I also had time to just sit and observe the children and what they were creating. What a great afternoon!
After this reading and module I was inspired to look into what the Town of Oakville does to support indigenous groups. I was impressed that they had a lot of history and resource information that the public can easily access. I can also use a a lot of information to help support my program planning for the children. Giving them a more authentic relationship with their own indigenous community. I think I can do this by simply getting some of the indigenous children books that they suggested are at my local public library.
https://www.oakville.ca/culturerec/indigenous-community.html#:~:text=Oakville%20is%20on%20the%20treaty,Creek%20in%20Oakville%2C%20was%20signed.
In reply to your last post about the trees communicating, i was recently enlightened on how nature interacts so much with one another. Braiding sweet grass by Robin Wall Kimmerer is a fantastic read that really blends science and indigenous stories with one another! She explains how trees talk to each other during pollination time and it was wonderful. Science I never that I could understand explained to me through an amazing story.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post and I hope you are having a wonderful week !

Kindest,

Bel MacFarlane

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As I reflected upon my first nature sensitivity walk my mind went wild with thoughts. I did my first sensitivity walk through my backyard and I chose to do the same for my walk today. As I walked one quote rang loud in my head, “rather, she advocates for land education that is rooted in the ‘supposition that all places were once Indigenous lands and continue to be” (Harwood et al., 2020, p. 27). It was hard for my brain to wrap it’s head around the idea that my house and the land it is on was never ours in the first place. It is strange but I almost feel a sense of guilt because of the way I have treated this land. In the past, I never thought about how I should respect the land that I am on and how I should care for it because in my mind it was my land. I recognize now that these thoughts are very much along the lines of the settlers thoughts. They thought that since they found the land that it was theirs to take and they could do whatever they wanted to the environment. After this week my thoughts and feelings have really shifted. As I walked I looked at everything I saw with respect. The trees, the squirrels, the rocks and the ground, I made sure to take my time and really acknowledge them for all their beauty. As you can see in the photo above, around our property we have a lot of these little burn barrels which we use to burn weeds and shrubs that have over grown. The issue with these barrels is that due to the heat and years of being used, the metal has started to brake off. This results in pieces of metal being all around our yard. Since it is winter I cannot find all of the metal pieces of I have made a promise to the environment that once the snow melts I want to show my respect my cleaning up my yard. Along with the metal we also have many discarded dog toys laying around that have never been moved. After this weeks lesson I feel like the least I can do is start making steps towards showing more respect for the land and cleaning it up when I can. Until summer, I plan on consciously giving thanks to the land and appreciating all the things that I have over looked in the past like the simple beauty of land when it is taken care of.
References
Elliott, S., Arlemalm-Hagser, E., & David, J. (2020). Researching early childhood education for sustainability: Challenging Assumptions and Orthodoxies (pp. 22-37). Routledge.

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I decided to take my nature walk somewhere else where I knew I could look at it differently and appreciate the land. This trail is right behind my workplace center and on the trail stands a sign with a map of it. This map consisted of information about the history of these woods and what was once present on this land. These woods were once an Indigenous all boys sports camp called Camp Norval in 1945, the map shows the trail and where every specific cabin was according to ages and tribes were built. As I walked along this trail I began to hear birds chirping, and watched snow fall from between the trees. I felt the wind on my face and my legs, snow being caught on the fur of my hood. It was the most peaceful experience I have ever had, silent, sensational experience. This trail is my favorite spot to go to, especially in the summer where there is a steep hill on the left and leads to a big river where there sits as massive tree fallen over and I use that as a bench to sit and watch the water flowing. Due to the snowy weather I didn't end up going down that way, I went the direction of the Camp Norval information sign where it shows a map indicating buildings and where they were placed, a blurb of the history behind what happened to the camp and a legend of ages groups and what tribes were within those age groups. The camp was bought out by the town of Halton Hills in 1998, and held 96 Indigenous boys ages 8-15 years old. A lot of the camp has been lost but the parts that still remain today are the footings of the camp directors cabin, the sundial and the pool filter tanks. Seeing this land today and knowing what it use to once be makes me realize how precious these woods are to me. I do not exactly the stories behind the camp, as it didn't specify anywhere what happened exactly while the camp was running its programs. But I found peace within knowing what was so significant about the area. I walked these trails asking myself questions, what happened during within closed doors of this camp?, was everyone who worked and attended this camp Indigenous, or just the children?, was it looked upon the same way as residential schools?. I wondered what life was like and how people were back when the camp was here. Overall, I felt a very strong connection during this walk and made me want to look further into the history behind this camp and see if I can find any information that isn't disclosed by the town of Halton Hills.

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As I walk around this beautiful lake, in Sudbury, ON. I am taking time to sit and admire my surroundings. I have come to have a deeper appreciation for the land that I call home. Knowing that all land is Indigenous land, I feel a stronger connection to that notion given the location of this photo/nature walk. Sudbury is home to many Indigenous communities – I have learned recently that “Sudbury is in Robinson-Huron Treaty territory and the land on which we gather is the traditional territory of the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek” (Laurentian University, n.d).

The specific lake that I have chosen for my nature walk is called “Ramsay Lake”. I think of the Thanksgiving Address, a tradition among the Haudenosaunee people, where they give thanks for many things. They give thanks for the things that provide so much for the earth and for the people. During my time here, I would like to give thanks to the trees for giving me oxygen to breathe. To the sun, for providing light to an otherwise dark sky. To the water, for being peaceful and still – giving me an overwhelming feeling of calm. To the ducks that pass by, for giving me joy as I watch them swim along together in a V formation. There are many reasons to give thanks and to be grateful for mother earth and all that she provides for us. I feel it is so important to respect and preserve the earth - sustainability requires so little from us each and every day, yet our actions have such a large impact on the world.

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On module one I took a walk in a playground that was in a parc called parc de la guadeloupe in rue bedard gatineau. I remember especially taking a picture of a tissue box because of of the fact i found that it was cool how the whole box turned like an ice after being outside probably for weeks. Thinking back, it was probably left there by an educator since theres a childcare near by the playground. However I might be mistaking.

After reading the chapter  and listening to the podcast of this week, i've come to realized that i should have  acknowledge the land in wich i was on and take in consideration that I shouldn't have been that interested to a box of tissue that is icy however i should have been concerned of the fact that the land was being polluted, disrespected in many ways.  Since the day I moved to gatineau i never really took the time to do research on who inhabited the land long before colonization. This week, I decided to do my research an i learned that Gatineau is located on the territory of the Algonguin, an Anishinaabe People who where the  ones that occupied the entire Ottawa watershed for thousands of years. If you want to learn more you can use this link: https://www.canadashistory.ca/explore/politics-law/algonquin-territory

After knowing a little bit about the land. I now wonder on how the land looked like years before they decided to create this playground. I wonder about the age of those trees, when they have been planted, what are the original plants of the area? where there many animals? and whether or not someone will decide to cut them down, close the park to build something else they deem more "useful".

Looking back at my walk, i feel a sense of anger. Anger because someone decided it was a good idea to leave a tissue box in the park, polluting it. Sadness, pain, resentment are some of the feelings that the Algonquin People might have felt when their land was taken, stolen from them, however we now, do not take care of it, we pollute it, and we are killing it. I personally think that it is shameful of us to not take care of the land that wasn't ours in the first place. Colonization has stolen a precious thing however even us, this "new generation" are not appreciating and taking care of the land. I also feel a sense of shame on that fact that i enjoyed how the box of tissue looked like in the snow. However im glad that I did took the time to put it in the garbage. i hope that i will continue to acknowledge the land that vi walk on and continue to do my part in keeping the earth from dying.

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On module one I took a walk in a playground that was in a parc called parc de la guadeloupe in rue bedard gatineau. I remember especially taking a picture of a tissue box because of of the fact i found that it was cool how the whole box turned like an ice after being outside probably for weeks. Thinking back, it was probably left there by an educator since theres a childcare near by the playground. However I might be mistaking.

After reading the chapter  and listening to the podcast of this week, i've come to realized that i should have  acknowledge the land in wich i was on and take in consideration that I shouldn't have been that interested to a box of tissue that is icy however i should have been concerned of the fact that the land was being polluted, disrespected in many ways.  Since the day I moved to gatineau i never really took the time to do research on who inhabited the land long before colonization. This week, I decided to do my research an i learned that Gatineau is located on the territory of the Algonguin, an Anishinaabe People who where the  ones that occupied the entire Ottawa watershed for thousands of years. If you want to learn more you can use this link: https://www.canadashistory.ca/explore/politics-law/algonquin-territory

After knowing a little bit about the land. I now wonder on how the land looked like years before they decided to create this playground. I wonder about the age of those trees, when they have been planted, what are the original plants of the area? where there many animals? and whether or not someone will decide to cut them down, close the park to build something else they deem more "useful".

Looking back at my walk, i feel a sense of anger. Anger because someone decided it was a good idea to leave a tissue box in the park, polluting it. Sadness, pain, resentment are some of the feelings that the Algonquin People might have felt when their land was taken, stolen from them, however we now, do not take care of it, we pollute it, and we are killing it. I personally think that it is shameful of us to not take care of the land that wasn't ours in the first place. Colonization has stolen a precious thing however even us, this "new generation" are not appreciating and taking care of the land. I also feel a sense of shame on that fact that i enjoyed how the box of tissue looked like in the snow. However im glad that I did took the time to put it in the garbage. i hope that i will continue to acknowledge the land that vi walk on and continue to do my part in keeping the earth from dying.

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My foot prints along side an animal's prints in fresh snow. 

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Challenge Task E: Indigenous Perspectives - Satvir Jugpall

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Challenge Task E: Indigenous Perspectives - Satvir Jugpall

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I thought of this picture as being the best representation to "all land is Indigenous" for me. In this picture are my foot prints and the tracks of a small animal on the undisturbed snow along the path beside the pond. The area where this pond is located was corn fields about 20-25 years ago, before the houses were built. This made me think of all the animals and creatures that would have lived here in the corn fields. That led me to wonder what this area was before the fields as I have no knowledge of this location's history. This pond is a mere 5 minute drive from the Grand River so I know that it has some deep and rich history in the Indigenous community, but that is not something I was taught or made aware of as a child growing up there. Now that I have moved to St. Catharines, an hour-ish away, and have started learning about the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples that resided on those lands before us, I am more interested in learning about this history of the Hespeler-Cambridge area. I want to know abnout the people that lived there before my family and about their ways of life. I want to be able to connect to the land in a more meaninful and respectful way, and I think learning about the past of the land is a good way for me to start.

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my prints with animal prints adler pond ecefs

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Module 3: Challenge Task E - Olivia Pontrelli

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Module 3: Challenge Task E - Olivia Pontrelli

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When I initially took my nature walk in Gage Park in Hamilton, I had an enjoyable experience. I took in the sun, observed squirrels running around, the beautiful trees, and greeted other walkers passing by on the path. After reflecting upon some of the ideas and topics discussed this week such as erasure of Indigenous stories of the land and thinking of all land as Indigenous, I am having very different thoughts and feelings regarding my walk. For instance, looking at the photo I am posting, I now notice the houses and other buildings in the background beyond the trees. This makes me think about the geography of the park and the area around it. Gage park consists of a large grassy field and many trees, but also within the park are man made structures such as a large fountain and a band stage. The park is also located in an urban/residential area, with Main Street to one side, and a railroad the other. This has me asking myself many questions such as was this nature always here, preserved while the city was built around it? Or was it placed here after the city was built in order to bring some nature back into the environment? After doing a quick google search, I was able to find a lot of information on the settler owners of the land in the 1800s, but nothing on the Indigenous history of the land. I think this, along with the juxtaposition of the natural elements and the urban city are telling of the history of land appropriation, and the relationship and history between settlers and Indigenous People.

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I went on the nature walk on the same spot on a windy and cloudy day in the evening. It was a great day to explore the outdoors. I sat down on the edge of the beach on my regular spot. Very few people were out at the lakeshore and it was a real calm day. After looking on all the questions i had a totally different prespective on my nature walk. I was able to feel the cold breeze, the soothing sound of leaves, the voice of flowing water and nature with a beautiful views. I was sitting and thinking is the all land indegenous? Then i had thought that where the river flows is that part of land indigenous too. Then I also had a thought in my mind why this is the particular name of the park? Also, I thought may be 100 years back did it looked the same and how humans are affecting nature everyday. My thoughts were never ending my sitting over there. I kept thinking of how nature would have built itself in a beautiful way. My walk was for about 20-30 minutes this time and I had a great reflection on it.

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As I revisited my nature walk this week, I decided to take a picture of the creek. As we walked, I told her my memories and how the stream was broader and dried out a bit. As we sat, I thought deeper than my memories. I thought about the connections and roots of the land. I thought about how the creek looked before I was a child, where it led, and the journey it went. I thought about how the bugs I picked up and cherished impacted our environment and how they have evolved. I also asked myself and my stepdaughter. How far do you think the land reached? what animals were here but left?

As a child, I didn't understand the impact throwing garbage on the ground had on the creek, and land that allowed me to live. I thought about all the times I mistreated the land and its living things. Talking to her about my memories of climbing trees, I thought about all the other boys and girls who first stepped foot on their land and climbed trees the way we did, or were there trees? Asking ourselves these questions encouraged us to find out the history. We found out the Nations who settled here were Anishnaabeg, Haudenosaunee, and Lenni-Lenape Nations. I am sad to say we did not find much information specific to the white oaks area. I am also blessed to have my cousin as a resource who is part of the Oneida Nation and works within the community. She and I collaborate, giving me resources to send to the school board to pass on. Through our discussions, she has also contacted Thames Valley School Board to start setting up resources for staff to educate themselves and students, as well as resources for students. Reading the article allowed me to think past my memories and appreciate the land more by thinking about its history and how it has helped us grow. Reading the article, Unsettling Settlers' Ideas of Land and Relearning Land with Indigenous Ways of Knowing in ECEfS, I enjoyed the children's discussion about the water being alive. The creek led me down a path that I would follow. It led me to new destinations and helped me find my way back. The way it flowed and moved and the fish would swim always made me feel happy inside. Not only was the water alive to me, but it helped me feel alive. I have learned so much through the indigenous community on how the land has helped us and what it has given us.

References:

Harwood, D., Whitty, P., Green, C., & Elliot, E. (2020). Unsettling Settlers' Ideas of Land and Relearning Land with Indigenous Ways of Knowing in ECEfS. Researching Early Childhood Education for Sustainability, 25–37. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429446764-3

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Module 3 Challenge Task E Indigenous Worldviews- Sarah Patterson

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Module 3 Challenge Task E Indigenous Worldviews- Sarah Patterson

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This week I rewalked the same path I took a few weeks ago with my dog. This time I went by myself trying to really focus on the premise "that all land is Indigenous". I'll be honest in that when I started walking I thought to myself what have we done to the land? I remember the neighbourhood that I now live in before the construction started. I was a large open piece of property that was covered in marshes. Now , 1000 plus houses occupy the land. So, when I was walking I thought about what it used to be, and how so much has been lost. We often see posts on our community social media site about the numerous amounts of coyotes, visiting our backyards and the questions as to why there are so many. Well, the reality is, is that we took their home from them. Now, they are displaced and looking for food. This land was a beautiful untouched piece of nature, that we have destroyed. We are no longer able to enjoy what the land has to offer because we have killed it all. I felt really guilty looking around at all the houses, the smart centre located just around the corner, and the man made pond that replaced the natural marsh land. It really makes you think that we are not doing nearly enough to respect the land, that was never ours.

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The walk I took today had a very different beginning and end. As I began to walk I was trying to keep my eyes open and think hard about having a different perspective compared to my last walk. Before I even began to walk I already had ideas in my head of what I wanted to take pictures of and talk about. I thought of the surrounding farmland and how it may have looked different before settlers moved in and took over Indigenous land. I was curious how farming has changed since then. As I began to walk I also noticed people's front lawns, how much empty space was filled will grass (under the snow) and how I never see people using that space, it is simply there to make their house look presentable, with a few trees or shrubs to add variety. I began to wonder how many of the plants were native to this city, and what it might look like if we decided to make our front lawns more purposeful, maybe leaving the grass long for the bees or choosing plants for the sake of the environment and sustainability and not only for looks. I took note of the church I passed, thinking of the harm churches caused to Indigenous communities, and how there are 6 churches within minutes of each other that are all separate due to a history of disagreement rather than harmony. If they were to learn to work together there would not have been so many wasted resources put into 6 different buildings. I kept looking for things to reflect on but felt a bit overwhelmed. Finally, at the turnaround point, I saw a tree that had a huge branch broken off. I went to go take a closer look, I touched it, and then decided to thank the tree for giving us clean air, just as the children in the reading gave thanks to the water. It was then that I realized that I needed to stop thinking so hard and begin listening and just letting my mind be at rest. On my walk back I began thanking the non-human subjects around me, I heard birds singing despite the loud cars driving by, and I breathed in the cold crisp air and felt more at peace. I often have a hard time remembering to slow down and simply be thankful, so I am thankful today for this experience.

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Module 3 Challenge Task E -  Svetlana Petrovic

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Module 3 Challenge Task E -  Svetlana Petrovic

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I went on the walk to my favorite Mimico Creek trail. I started rethinking my daily nature walk after having to listen to the podcast with Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer. My perspective of my surroundings shifted as I learned to see the world from the viewpoint of Indigenous peoples. It was interesting to think about how the area around the stream would have looked hundreds of years ago. I did some research and found Native American legends explaining the origin of the name Mimico and the history of the region around Mimico Creek. Mimico is inferred from the Ojibwe word Omiimiikaa (Omimeca), which means "abundant with wild pigeons," and this region was once teeming with passenger pigeons, which are now extinct. Whose fault is that? I was so taken aback by this that I couldn't recall my favourite childhood memory any more. As I took a deep, cold, fresh breath with my eyes closed, my thoughts led me further into thinking and questioning myself. I kept asking, "What role did the creek play in ensuring the continued existence of the local indigenous population and the native wildlife?" Is the water alive? I had my thoughts flowing and was thinking about how these streams become rivers and lakes, and how rivers become sources of our lives, for humans and non-humans. It was beautiful to listen to the nature even though it was gloomy and cold, but it breaks my heart that all I could see were broken branches of the trees around me. One walkway was paved on my right side coming from the housing area near this trail; rocky bunds on the curves were installed to slow the water, and some evergreen trees were strategically placed on the hills to prevent landslides. Many trees were damaged, even those that are normally hidden by greenery in the warmer months. The indigenous worldview reminds us that the earth has a tale to tell, and we should pay attention to it. Can we expect those evergreen trees to thrive in their new environment? If we know why certain trees are dying while others are breaking, we can fix the problem. The absence of natural seedling and animal's feeding grounds and watering themselves beside the stream made me reflect on our relationship to the earth we all inhabit. What kind of wildlife habitat might we have here if it weren't for all the houses? The neighbourhood where I took this picture has been developing rapidly in recent years, with new townhomes, apartment buildings, and fences with "Private Property" signs popping up all over. This week's readings and podcasts have definitely made me feel more connected to the land. I've learned, in particular, to listen to nature in ways that aren't only from my own perspective, and I've come to realize how much more important this knowledge is then a purely scientific one that we live right now.

Resources: https://www.blogto.com/city/2020/11/history-mimico-neighbourhood-toronto/

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The Grand River Dam in Caledonia, Ontario

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From my viewpoint and growing up minutes away from the Six Nations of the Grand River, I agree 'that all land is Indigenous.' My viewpoint has evolved over the years through educational experiences and "listening to the stories of land," educating myself about the Residential School System in Canada and listening to Indigenous Peoples in my community. In my initial nature walk, I focused on my senses to describe the land I walked on in the present, not considering who had walked the shoreline before me. Re-visiting my nature walk, I shifted my thoughts and used my senses to purposefully consider the settlers, the Indigenous Peoples who came before me. As I walked along the Grand River in Caledonia, I attempted to visualize how Turtle Island may have looked hundreds of years ago and tried to 'walk alongside' (Sundberg, 2014) the past settlers and our Indigenous Peoples. Stopping on the path, I heard children playing in the freshly fallen snow, and I heard a small child crying in the distance. I thought of the cries of children living in residential schools and being taken from their parents. I thought of how colonization impacted and destroyed thousands of Indigenous Peoples' lives, how they continue to live in pain and the intergenerational trauma left behind.

Firsthand, I have seen housing developers attempt to build on Indigenous land in Caledonia, and the turmoil and destruction that occurs as Indigenous People fight to hold onto their land (Douglas Creek Estates land dispute in 2006 and the 2020 McKenzie Meadows / 194 Land Back Lane dispute). After reading this week's literature and listening to the podcast, I focused deeper on the land while sitting on the bench near the river's edge. Listening to the water flow in the river and seeing gentle ripples, I closed my eyes and thought about how water can represent change and the passing of time. I thought of how water is a sacred gift that connects all life and how water is cleansing and purifying and is necessary for plants, animals, foods and medicines. I saw fishermen in the freezing water and shifted my thoughts to how Indigenous Peoples relied on the waters for food and how settlements were formed near water. Continuing my walk, I thanked the land, animals, people, plants, trees and water for their substance and the gifts we receive from Mother Earth. Walking back to my car, I was reminded of a discussion with my grandparents only to take what you need from their garden, leave some for others and never be wasteful. That conversation is similar to the Indigenous beliefs of the Seven Generations principle, where decisions we make today should result in a sustainable world seven generations into the future (Harwood et al., 2020). I appreciate the reminder that we must reflect and be thankful for everything Mother Earth has provided, acknowledge those who came before us, and respect that 'all land is Indigenous' and that we must 'listen to the stories of the land.'

As educators, we must teach our children to 'listen to the stories of land' and provide lessons that "the ground beneath our (settler) feet has a history and an identity that we have actively and anxiously hidden from ourselves" (Harwood et al., 2020, p. 33). We must educate ourselves about nature and the land and inspire our students to respect and find the passion for developing a relationship with the natural world and enhancing their sense of belonging and contributing. I am thankful to have a rich Indigenous culture in my surrounding community and near my practice. I drive by the Mohawk Institute Residential School and Good Minds Bookstore daily, as my practice is less than a kilometre away. I have purchased books like Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message by Chief Jake Swamp, Stand Like A Cedar by Nicola l. Campbell and Shi-shi-etko by Nicola l. Campbell from Good Minds and visited the Woodland Cultural Centre adjacent to the Mohawk Institute.

References:

Harwood, D., Whitty, P., Green, C., & Elliot, E. (2020). Unsettling settlers ideas of land and relearning land with indigenous ways of knowing in ECEFS. In S. Elliot, E. Ärlemalm-Hagsér, & J. Davis (Eds.), Researching early childhood education for sustainability: Challenging assumptions in orthodoxies (pp. 25-37). Routledge

Sundberg, J. (2014). Decolonizing posthumanist geographies. Cultural Geographies, 21(1), 33–47.

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Module 3: Challenge Task E:     Julie Wright

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Module 3: Challenge Task E:     Julie Wright

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I completed my sensitivity walk across the road from my house. It is an undeveloped patch of land that no one is able to develop due to the distance between the water and the highway. This picture was taken to the left of where I was sitting. I looked up and noticed that the snow had slowed down and the sun was peeking through the trees. Sitting there, I noticed the waves hitting the shore. Taking the time to sit and take in the nature around you makes you notice the things you would not see if you were rushing around or in a vehicle. Sitting in the snow, I noticed that I started to breathe in sync with the water crashing into the shore. Behind me, I was startled to hear some tree branches cracking under the weight of a doe. She was cutting across to get to the water. I also noticed that there was an eagle flying around. There always seems to be an eagle flying around here in Evansville. Even though it is something that we see all the time, I still am in awe when I have the privilege to see one soaring through the air or sitting on the edge of the ice trying to get his dinner. On this day there were lots of creaking and moaning coming from the trees and the snow was falling down all around me like I was in the middle of a snowstorm. I really enjoyed this process, it was nice to connect with the land around me, I feel in order to protect the world around us we need to experience it on a personal level and become part of it. Immerse ourselves completely into everything that this beautiful world has to offer us.

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Module 3 Challenge Task E:    Warde Omar 

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Module 3 Challenge Task E:    Warde Omar 

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As I reflect on my nature sensitivity walk this week, I do feel inspired with new learning and an understanding of Indigenous Stories of the land. I was reflecting on little things as it stood out to me when it was mentioned ''How do we listen to land and realize land has a voice – as does all the life and materials located here?''. To me, this changed my perspective and understanding during my walk for example I had questions about the land and wondered what did this look like before it was an area to walk that leads to a Public School. I could hear the snow crunch each step I would take and it was really cold today as we got some snow in London,Ontario so I could feel the cold wind on my nose and snow blowing on my face.

I also do think it's important and inclusive to the Indigenous People in our communities. As I reflect, this walk felt different and I asked myself why and I do have a different view and perspective on the land and not just my senes. I had many questions about those who lived here and how we can support children's learning and questions to learn alongside the children. I was really motivated to do some more research and continue my learning on the land prior to what this land looked like before houses, roads etc were built.

I came across this great article and recourse and it is a great read if you do have time. It is a great resource about how to integrate and create meaningful learning  for all children about an inclusive environment to the Indigenous People in our communities. I had so many new learning just reading this article and look forward to continue learning.Lifelong learning is so important and really enjoyed learning this week.

Link To Article:
https://journals-scholarsportal-info.proxy.library.brocku.ca/pdf/11771801/v17i0002/326_ieaecsboicat.xml

References
Becerra-Lubies, R. (2021). Intercultural education and early childhood: strengthening knowledge based on Indigenous communities and territory. AlterNative : an International Journal of Indigenous Peoples, 17(2), 326–334. https://doi.org/10.1177/11771801211022328

Thanks for reading my post,
Warde Omar

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Module 3: Challenge task E- Indigenous Worldviews

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Module 3: Challenge task E- Indigenous Worldviews

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I decided to do my nature sensitivity walk again in light of "all land is Indigenous land". I walked the trail that surrounds one side of my neighborhood taking it the quiet afternoon as all the children were in school and most people have gone to work. The fresh snow and ice was glistening off the trees and it made me feel so at peace. I heard a few birds chirping and far away I can hear the methodical "beep beep" sound of a truck backing up. It was probably the many trucks going into the huge Amazon facility situated in Ajax, Ontario, loading and unloading their goods. That made me think how would have this area been many years ago without the sprawling new houses, big factories, buildings and stores? In that peaceful walk I felt sad thinking about how many trees and land were flattened to accommodate these structures which in turn means many animals, bugs, even grass that the Indigenous people acknowledged and given thanks to have been erased. Indigenous way of appreciating Mother Nature was disrespected all in the name of urban civilization. In another time maybe as one walked the land, you could hear many more birds chirping, a howl of a wolf, a faraway screech of a hawk and you could have witnessed many more rich trees and plants that were of use in Indigenous natural medicine.

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I selected to travel along the exact same path I took on my first walk. This time, I took my time and stopped every 20 feet or so to look around. I would stop, close my eyes and be as still as possible to hear all the sounds around me. I wondered what sounds I might have heard in that precise area 100 years ago. And then again in 200 years. What animals could have lived here, I wondered? Would this forest's animals be more deadly than they are now? Who might have hunted in these lands? Then I got to the small man-made bridge over the now-frozen stream. I agree it's beautiful and serves a purpose, but could I have crossed the water without it? Yes, I could have leapt or used a fallen log because it's not too wide. I would have made do as previous generations had done. Then I began to ponder about people who lived here before my time. As far as my understanding would allow, I traced each generation back. I discovered that I understood little about the history of the area where I live and travel. I have been a resident of this area for seventeen years, yet I know little about its past. I felt ashamed. I felt anger then. The education I received left me feeling deceived and cheated. It is up to me to alter the course of this narrative. The way I see, feel, listen to, think about, and question the reality around me will be changed due to this walk and the new insights I have gained about the concept of the story of the land. I have reached out to a dear friend who is well-versed in her heritage and hails from this region, and we have planned to get together for a cup of coffee not just to catch up but also so that I may deepen my understanding of what came before through her accounts. This is only my first step in "learning the stories from the land."

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Reflecting on the podcast and readings with a lens sensitive to the Indigenous ways of viewing the land, I decided to take a walk back to one of the first spots I tend to walk towards: into my backyard.

There has been a lot of learning for me regarding the Indigenous peoples, their culture and language and their struggles. To be able to enjoy this land they stood upon is something that I have learned to be thankful for and to humble myself about as a land that is not my own. To think that these trees provide shade, paper, fruits and food, to think of the snow as water, which provides sustenance when we thirst. As I sat down under one of our bare trees far back in my backyard, I leaned back and closed my eyes, deciding to listen. One part of the podcast with guest speaker Robin Wall Kimmerer that struck me was how they spoke about nature, how nature learns as a living organism, and how being within the pace of nature, rather than within the pace of humans, in order to slow down and think about the life of nature (2016).

Another quote struck me during the podcast that Robin Wall Kimmerer said about the importance of listening before seeing and speaking (2016). Sitting among all the trees in my backyard, the way the branches sway as the wind blows through them makes me wonder what these trees are telling me, what they're telling each other. How can we work together? How can we scrap our 'dominion' worldview to serve creation at its heart and give back to the land with the gifts we have been blessed with? How can my view continue to change? These questions continue to roll around in my mind even after I finished my nature walk, hoping to make a more significant difference in a way that honours the Indigenous Lands.

References

Kimmerer, R. (2016). The Intelligence in All Kinds of Life. On Being Studios. Retrieved from https://soundcloud.com/onbeing/robin-wall-kimmerer-the-intelligence-in-all-kinds-of-life

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M3- Nature sensitivity walk (part2) Alicia Neil 

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M3- Nature sensitivity walk (part2) Alicia Neil 

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My understanding has definitely shifted in being more aware that ''all land is indigenous'' this time around because I'm mindful to be more reverent. To be grateful for the privilege to enjoy the natural scenery provided to me and the responsibility to take care of the land in any way that I can, so I can continue to enjoy it for many years to come. The indigenous people had a reverence for the land they lived on and respected it. Yes, the used the land, took from the land, but did not abuse the land. they thanked nature for its provision and gave back to the land in thanksgiving, care, ceremonies and offerings. The footsteps in the snows enlightened me to the belief that  if we really became aware of and concerned that natural resources are indispensable for all, and that if we take care of nature it will take care of us, we would do better at taking care of it. Its about responsibility- the Indigenous people understood that.

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Module 3 Challenge: Task E - Sydnee Brooks

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Module 3 Challenge: Task E - Sydnee Brooks

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While repeating my nature sensitivity walk from module one, I thought about how ‘all land is Indigenous.’ As I made my way to the pond, this thought replayed through my head. This time, I went on the walk alone in an attempt to focus and completely immerse myself in my surroundings.
Another brisk January day and off I went, starting on the paved path, wondering about what my journey to the pond would have looked like before the path was there. The path and pond itself is in a lower area, so I wondered if the path leading to the pond was a creek at some point. Before a subdivision was built in the area, there used to be farmer’s fields on the entire left side of the pond which made me wonder if the path and pond were lower as part of a drainage system? Thinking about what the area might have looked like a long time ago made me feel some sadness and guilt, seeing as how these beautiful areas are turning into new subdivisions.

I got to the pond and sat down on a nearby bench, the breeze hit my face as I looked around. It was quiet; however, I could hear ducks quacking in the water. I noticed the garbage that was there last time was still there. I thought about what the Indigenous people would have thought about the litter in and surrounding the pond. I know they highly value the land we live on and the natural resources the Earth provides, using only what they need and no more. Although we do not use the pond as a source of water or food, I thought about how the litter could affect the ducks, fish, insects, and amphibians within it. I honestly feel as though nature would have been much healthier and therefore, more appealing when the Indigenous people came here because they cared so deeply about the Earth. I think garbage cans on the path would be a good investment and eliminate waste and pollution at the pond.

Thinking about what this area may have looked like several years ago, I had to wonder, was the pond made naturally? Or was it man-made? If it was man-made, who made it? Was the pond created for aesthetic-pleasure and an incentive for people living nearby? If it was man-made, was the path or pond made first?

There are so many things to think about, the reading and podcast opened my eyes to an alternate way of thinking about the Indigenous lands in which we live on. I wish there were informative signs on the way to the pond which include a information and photos of the discovery or creation of the pond.

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I took my nature walk this week again through my Grandparents land just as it was getting dark out. Although, this time during my walk I picked up on different things due to the content this week such as “All land is Indigenous”, Listening to the stories of the land” and ideas about the treasure of Indigenous stories of  land. On my first sensitivity walk I seemed to focus on my surroundings and the experiences I personally had in that space as the deer tracks, the wind on my face, and sledding as a child. This time around I seemed to shift my focus to how everything got there and questions surrounding it. For example the large rock I was sitting on, how did it get there, and how long has it been there? The hill I looked up at, has it always been there? The stream that runs through the woods did it serve as a purpose to any? I also wondered what this land looked like before. I know it has not always been farming fields and must have had a different purpose or state before. It well could have been bush as the majority of the land is. It is important to note what land once was and how its purpose was changed for the better good of humans in this case with faam land.

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I took my nature walk down to my favorite spot by the lake. I look at nature and all the things around me a little differently than I did before. Knowing that all land is Indigenous made me look at nature differently. Knowing what I know today about how this land was called Turtle Island and everything that has happened and continues to happen to Indigenous people makes me sit and reflect on what I can do better to help and support. What did this land look like before there were roads and houses? With the population growing, nature is being destroyed, and animals are losing their habitats. I feel that, as humans, we need to do better at living in this world and caring for nature. Sitting on this rock and looking out into the water watching the swans swim by, I listen to the sounds around me. Remembering the creation story that I learned about in my 2F95 class about how Mother Earth came to be and how she gives us what we need and not what we want, and with that, we should protect and respect Mother Earth. Also, knowing that I am on the treaty lands and territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. The town of Oakville has many resources about the land we live on and the Indigenous community. The Indigenous community should have their land and rights back. It shouldn't be up to the Federal Government to determine what they do with their lives and lands. This land was their first and should forever be their land first. As we are second to their land, we should stand with Indigenous people and help them to regain access to their land and lives and not destroy this land like how they want to pick apart the Green Belt to build more houses. We need to protect this land and protect nature.

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3 Challenge Task E Indigenous Worldviews -Nicole Ford 

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3 Challenge Task E Indigenous Worldviews -Nicole Ford 

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After listening to the podcast and reading this week's chapter, as I walked down the dirt road, I thought of the history of the land and my relationships with it. I thought about the land's beauty and the Indigenous way of knowing. I wondered about a way of life when the earth was thought of as a living being that needed to be cared for and how the seven generations were always at the base of each decision. How the Indigenous Peoples only used the amount required from the earth, and how farming has changed. As I look upon acres of farmer's fields, I reflect on how much the productions have increased and the harmful sprays used to help ensure growth instead of the love and care the land had once known.

I walked to the pond where my children skated in the winter and reflected on how lucky we are to have a space where we can enjoy nature without causing any harm in a completely natural area that has not been altered in any way by man. I listened to the birds, took in my surroundings' pure beauty, and noticed a cayotes track in the snow. This made me think of their natural habitat and how all living creatures have a purpose and need to be respected.  I reflected on all the surrounding areas where trees have been removed to make more farmland and the impact that has. And if we lived in a world where all people applied the Indigenous ways of knowing and considered the generations ahead, what can be conserved for them? How our decisions would be different. I reflected on how healthy the world would be and its impact on climate change and global warming.

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I remember being told a story by my father in law. he used to live this area as a kid. he told me about how this whole black used to be farm land and he and his friends would run through the fields. now that I look around, all of what used to be farm land is now full of houses, climbing parks, commercial buildings and shopping malls. this is the only forest I know of left on this block. and you don't normally find forests on any blocks anymore especially on the Hamilton mountain. it makes me wonder what it really looked like back when this was farmland. and how are the natural resources here now better than the ones back then. I don't see many. theres an area just around the corner from this park, not just a few years ago it was a field beside a school. from what I know about Indigenous ways is that natural resources are of great importance to their everyday life. if instead of building more houses on top of that field, we wanted to honour the Indigenous land. maybe we could of taken that land and used it to teach the children at the school the importance of our natural resources. its very saddening that a park which once used to be farmland and forest, has been down sized to a few trees grouped together is now a place that most of the time people just walk passed ignoring that its there.

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I decided to take a nature sensitivity walk at night. I wanted to feel and see what spoke to me in the darkness. This is a pathway near my home. Lit by city lights and in the distance, there is a highway making noise. I look at this path, wondering  who has walked here before me? was this path always here? who found it? what was here before the street lights and the highway? what did this look and feel like before settlers arrived?

As I walk, I look at the trees and wonder what stories they can tell. As I crunch the icy snow, I wonder if there are animals burrowed a few feet below. What animals lived here but were displaced once settlers arrived?

In the city we have patches of forests left, fragments of what once was, disturbed by buildings, cars, roads, homes and humans. It reminds of the story in this week reading, about settlers taking from nature by building homes and nature responding by flooding into those homes. Settlers have disrupted and displaced the forests and natural beauties of Turtle Island.

As I paused to listen to the night, I can only imagine how it felt and sounded for Indigenous Peoples, because all I hear is disruption from the buzzing lights and the humming and honking of cars. It is the sound of colonization continuing to attempt to drown the voices of nature.

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Attached is a portion of my nature sensitivity walk on the Bruce Trail specifically; as I walked from my car to the trails, I noticed the abrupt change of concrete to natural paths leading me to become engulfed into a pathway surrounded by large trees. Being left alone to my thoughts, I reflected on the mass development, and expansion my city alone has been transformed by, changing the city's busy each time. These thoughts are influenced by vintage photos I recently discovered. In those photos, you would find an abundance of farmland of families living sustainably while supporting their communities. Moreover, I pondered how many people were forcefully made to give up their land to appease the government. Before colonization, Canada was extensive and vast while rich in plants and trees. Even today, due to mass genocide, remaining Indigenous land is still dictated by federal policies. Moreover, at the same time, fundamental human rights and ethics should be addressed and addressed, such as clean water, for example.

As I continued down the path, I came across a creek slowly defrosting just enough that you could hear the trickling of the water stream beneath the thin layer of ice. At this moment, I felt immense peace and connectedness as my dog ran to stand at the edge of the land to get from ice-cold water to drink. Further reminds me to thank Mother Earth and all that connects us, as the land has many stories to tell. One just must be listening. Recently in my Indigenous studies course, I have been introduced to the Turtle Island Creation story, and at this moment, I feel most connected to the land throughout my walk. I feel that if more people expanded their knowledge of Indigenous culture and knowledge, we, as a collective, would become more enlightened about natural teachings and practices bringing us back to the root of humankind and connecting ourselves to natural, sustainable ways of life while advocating for Indigenous culture. The nature sensitivity walk has further enhanced my professional approach to teaching.

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After understanding and looking the lens of “All land is indigenous”, my perception of my walk and the environment changed. I was able to look beyond the park that I was in and think about how it might have looked back in the time. I was able to think about how this particular park was land of Indigenous people. The Indigenous people’s love and care for the land and Mother Nature reminded me of how many times I have enjoyed my walks superficially and how I have not been able to actually listen to the land and hear about all the stories it has to tell.

During this walk, I was able to appreciate everything I saw during my walk and be grateful for the land that Indigenous people have shared with us. As I continued my walk, I could feel a cold breeze of wind on my face and as I looked at the houses around me, I was able to picture the empty land with trees and forest which I was unable to see earlier. But now with increasing population, it has been taken over by the houses.

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I was reflecting on the podcast and readings with a lens sensitive to indigenous viewing of the land. I decided to talk about my walk by a local beach that I like to go to in the summer to tan and any other time of the year. Looking back at the nature walk, my thoughts are to purposefully consider the first peoples, indigenous peoples who were here long before I was. As I walk along the shoreline I try to imagine how this would look when it was referred to as turtle island and walk alongside the past indigenous peoples (Sundberg, 2014). I heard the waves crashing against the frozen ice along the shoreline and thought of how that crashing compared to Indigenous culture crashing when cultural genocide was taking place. I then was wondering how everything came into the place it is now. Where did lake Ontario from? How did it look when the indigenous peoples lived on this land? These are all questions that I had not previously \thought about yet are questions that need to be validated when going through life in nature.

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As I repeated my nature sensitivity walk from module one, and this time with the thought in mind that ‘all land is Indigenous’ it began a deeper thought process of understanding and acknowledging the land we stand on day by day. “Acknowledging that you are a guest on this land.” Respecting the fact that this walk is walked on stolen land and being mindful that their land is their first teacher. Something that is so important to the Indigenous, and their culture being stolen from them. Where I am in Chatham, thinking of how close the First Nations reserve is and how I feel very uneducated on that piece of land that is so close to me. I thought of the way the air was brisk, and how I am recognizing giving thanks to every piece of this walk. Giving thanks to the trees, the air, and the ground we walk on. As an educator thinking about how we need to ensure this information is being taught to future generations and they continue to acknowledge that the land we live on is stolen land and this conversation continues to happen. Teaching children to be an ally. Educating themselves and ask questions.