Wisdom Photo Journal Assignment by Natalie Dyck

nattyj2000k — 2025-09-17 19:55:05 UTC

"Keeper was always talking about how nothing in this world grows from the outside in. Growth only ever happens from the inside out." (Garnet, Page 213)

nattyj2000k — 2025-09-17 19:59:53 UTC

"Them they lost touch with the rhythm of the earth, left their drums behind long time ago, forgot their old songs, their old teachings and got lost in the speed of things." (Keeper, Page 4)

nattyj2000k — 2025-09-17 20:03:46 UTC

"Wanna be part of one world cause its all shiny and fast but afraid to let go of the other world that's slower and more familiar." (Keeper, Page 4)

nattyj2000k — 2025-09-17 20:10:01 UTC

"You spend time in the bush and on the land, you learn the way of the bush and the way of the land. The natural way. Way of the universe. Spend time surrounded by concrete and steel, you learn their way too, I guess." (Keeper, Page 54)

nattyj2000k — 2025-09-17 20:17:07 UTC

"Them colours become a part of you, them trees a part of you, rocks a part of you, animals a part of you, everything. And you..you…you’re a part of all of it too." (Keeper, Page 161)

nattyj2000k — 2025-09-17 20:19:40 UTC

"In my old life I was used to things happening quick. Once you made a decision you got to it. That downtown lifestyle was built on speed" (Garnet, Page 168)

nattyj2000k — 2025-09-17 21:44:12 UTC

"I thought about being tourists in this life and how an old man, a moon across the water, the sound of loons and the smell of trees can suddenly feel like something you’ve worn around forever like an old pair of moccasins, all loose and comfortable." (Garnet, Page 106)

nattyj2000k — 2025-09-17 22:27:04 UTC

"As I paddled across that lake that morning, watching the sun start to burn the mist off the water, it was like seeing the light being born inside me again." (Garnet, Page 233)

nattyj2000k — 2025-09-18 16:59:51 UTC

"Pretty soon, work an’ money an’ getting those shiny things got to mean more than prayer an’ ceremony. See, you look too long at the shiny an’ your eyes go funny." (Keeper, Page 99)

nattyj2000k — 2025-09-18 20:03:23 UTC

"Funny how those insignificant little moments wind up being the biggest things in your life after you live some." (Garnet, Page 21)

Journal Reflection

nattyj2000k — 2025-09-19 18:41:35 UTC

Overall, I thought Keeper n' Me was an amazing book to read with a rich story and lovable characters. Not only that, but more Significantly, the novel was filled with knowledge for a reader to take in and learn. Keeper n' Me dives into many things including lessons on the impact of residential schools, storytelling, family, the connection to nature, and most importantly, how to be a good person. Personally, The lesson that struck me the most was having a proper connection to nature which is shown in my quotes.

Throughout the novel, I found these different quotes that reflected on a persons connection to nature and now that we are surrounded by so much technology and modernity, we as a society are losing that connection to the environment. This message impacted me so much since this made me realize that I'm losing that connection too. I spend so much time online either on my computer or my phone that I'm missing the chance to recognise and enjoy nature. I want to be able to learn the way of the land in a natural way and build a deeper connection to not only the environment around me, but to myself as well.

I will internalize the knowledge I have learned through reading Keeper N' Me and apply it to my life by putting down my electronics for a change and go out to appreciate different aspects of nature like the lush foliage, the tall trees, the sound of a fresh water stream, and the gleaming sun. In addition, I will take the time to deeply understand why nature is important in general, but also how it ties so close to indigenous people. I will learn from local indigenous peoples in my community and take their learning to heart and try to apply it to my everyday life.