Author Leigh Joseph has always been inspired by the cultural and interpersonal relationships between people and plants.
As a young girl visiting her great aunt and uncle close to Nanaimo on a large property near the river, she was fascinated by the way they lived off the land.
“My grandparents’ generation was told that they didn’t belong on this land, and they were dealing with so much trauma and stress that they didn’t have time to share the plant-based knowledge they had,” she says.
“The time I spent with my elders brought such a richness to my life. When I had kids, it became very important to me that they not only feel they belong here, but that they feel a connection to the land.”
Through the Squamish language and cultural traditions, Joseph’s latest book The Land Knows Me teaches young readers about Indigenous plant relationships and how we are all connected to nature through plant-based foods, medicines and materials.
Her new book was inspired by her first publication Held by the Land. Her premiere book is an introduction to responsible ways to identify and harvest plants in your area and teach how to grow a deeper connection with the land you live on through plants. Held by the Land won the 2023 Foreword INDIE Book Award.
“I wanted to deepen the interest and bring the story of me taking my kids and niece on a walk to life,” says Joseph, adding she was inspired by the book Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, which was adapted for young readers.
“It is so important that we make this knowledge accessible to the younger generation.”
The Land Knows Me is an educational, hands-on journey to discover the wonderful uses and gifts of the plants around us. Through the Indigenous traditions of Squamish culture, you’ll learn how to ground yourself on the land; how to introduce yourself in the Squamish language to your plant relatives; and the many teachings about plants, cultural stories and learnings related to the flora seen on your walk.
“In the book, the children each notice something about the environment,” says Joseph.
“Whether it’s putting pedals on a mosquito bite to calm it, watching pollinators at work or identifying all of the plants on a nurse log, it shares knowledge about the beauty of nature and things kids are curious about.”
The colourful introduction to Indigenous plant knowledge includes informative sidebars, reflection questions and plant names in both Squamish and English so readers young and old can learn the language.
“When I speak with people in the community, there is a deep desire to reconnect,” says Joseph.
“Plants are a beautiful, creative, nutritional, medicinal way to do that.”
The Land Knows Me concludes with a 15-plant profile directory featuring detailed plant illustrations and botanical drawings to aid in learning about the many great uses for plants and the native history behind them.
“People often ask me why the book isn’t called ‘I Know the Land’ and the reason is, the land is its own entity; its own character, in a way,” says Joseph.
“When we build a relationship and notice and care for the land, there is a recognition there. The land gets to know you when you interact in a way that considers non-human life and when you truly respect that.”
Joseph is an ethnobotanist, researcher and community activist whose aim is to contribute to cultural knowledge renewal in connection to Indigenous plant foods and medicines.
She says she worked closely with illustrator Natalie Schnitter to ensure the cover had visibly Indigenous elements on it.
“We included the hat, beaded earrings and baskets as elements that draw interest and curiosity,” she adds.
“It is easily identifiable for people who know those are Indigenous elements and interesting for those who don’t but want to learn more.”
Purchase The Land Knows Me by visiting skwalwen.com.
