Finding Reconciliation in the Backyard: An Educator’s Reflection on Connection and Community
Submitted by:
Sarah Shaw (She/Her)
Adult Literacy Mentor
Grande Prairie Family Education Society
It is that time of year again when we reflect on Truth and Reconciliation. For me, this year has felt different. On my ongoing journey to understand the Indigenous perspective, the message has hit me on a much deeper level.
I was recently privileged to attend the "Creating Safe Spaces for Indigenous Learning" workshop right here in Grande Prairie. There, I met Elder Dave, who shared his personal journey as a residential school survivor. Listening to how his experiences shaped him, I was deeply moved by his resilience and his ability to use his story to educate others. His life has brought him immense wisdom.
On day one, he said something so simple yet profound that it immediately stuck with me paraphrasing:
"The white man needs to build places to get their stuff. But for us, the land is our Walmart. It gives us everything we need."
Elder Dave emphasized our responsibility to be true stewards of the land. I went home that night and really sat with that thought. When I was asked to give the land acknowledgement the next day, I decided to change it so I could share a special lesson I had learned right in my own backyard.
When Logic Won Over the Trees
A few years ago, ATCO approached us about the five massive spruce trees lining our back fence. In the past, crews had only come to trim them because they encroached on the overhead power lines. This time was different: they wanted them completely gone, and they came with an offer.
My immediate answer was, "No way!" We loved those trees. They provided ample shade from the south-facing sun and privacy from the three neighbors we share a fence with. However, my husband logically reminded me that they would have to come down eventually. They were over 50 years old; one was practically dead, and another was quickly on its way out. They looked a bit silly with their tops lobbed off, but I still loved the privacy and the wildlife that lived in them.
My husband told the crew we would think about it. In our marriage, I am the emotional one, and he is the logical one. He pointed out that the fence behind the trees was dilapidated and rotten, and building a new one would be nearly impossible with those massive trunks in the way. Ultimately, ATCO made an offer we couldn't refuse: they would cut them down, buck the logs for our fireplace, clean up all the debris, and pay us a sizable amount per tree to put toward a new fence. Logic won. I caved and said yes.
The Barren Yard and a Magical Awakening
A few weeks later, I woke up to the sound of chainsaws and a full crew in the yard. Unable to bear the sight, I headed off to work. When I returned home, I was shocked. I couldn't look at the barren, ugly yard without crying. We could see straight into all three neighbors’ houses, and the old fence looked worse than ever. I was filled with major regret. My husband agreed it looked rough, but he promised that next summer he would build a beautiful new fence, and we could plant small trees, shrubs, and flowers to fill the empty space.
The next summer, something magical happened.
That barren, open corridor of land suddenly burst with new growth. Seeds that had lain dormant on the forest floor for years finally had a chance to flourish under the new south-facing sun. We decided to leave the space alone for another year just to see what would come up naturally.
Today, four years later, a beautiful variety of life grows alongside the new fence my husband built:
- Two thriving lilac bushes
- Vibrant red and yellow poppies
- A Mayday tree and a Mountain Ash tree
- Wild raspberry and rose bushes
- ...and a healthy dose of weeds, of course!
It has been incredibly rewarding to tend to the weeds and watch these plants discover their own perfect spacing. The Earth really is a Walmart. It provided. Now, I look out my back window and smile. Best of all, the birds and squirrels never left—they still happily torment my dogs every day.
Listening to the Voices of the Land
As humans, we often complicate things. We complicate living, get caught up in overconsumption, and constantly run to the store for things we think we need. My backyard reminds me to slow down and remember that life can be simple; being in nature provides us with everything we truly need.
This lesson follows me beyond my yard. We have three active dogs who need to run every single day. A doctor once told my husband that these dogs are saving our lives, and it’s true. My husband drives 12 kilometres out of town almost every day to give them exercise. I join him a few times a week. These hikes in the woods have inadvertently saved our lives, too, providing vital physical, mental, and emotional benefits.
Click here to see my dogs run!
During one of our recent hikes, we listened to the audiobook Braiding Sweetgrass by Indigenous scientist and author Robin Wall Kimmerer. Kimmerer writes about her fear that modern alienation has left us with a profound disconnect from the earth. She notes that plants and animals offer us gifts and lessons, but we have forgotten how to hear their voices.
Because of the plants in my yard, I know firsthand exactly what she means. Kimmerer calls on us to "acknowledge and celebrate our reciprocal relationship with the rest of the living world." These teachings have deeply enriched my hikes. I slow down. I zoom in. I notice the plants, taste the wild berries, and take pictures of the mushrooms. It has supported my mental health in ways I cannot fully describe.
Our Call to Action as Educators
We are the caretakers of this land. It is here to teach us harmony and better ways of be-ing. I have come to realize that if we simply stop and listen to our Indigenous brothers and sisters, we will find invaluable wisdom. They know the history and the spirit of Turtle Island best.
Our world still has an immense amount of healing left to do. This time of year is a perfect opportunity to reconnect with the land, but September is also the time to review our professional responsibilities.
As facilitators and educators, we can pay special attention to the following:
- Call to Action #33: Developing collaborative, culturally appropriate solutions and programs.
- Call to Action #57: Providing education on Indigenous history, treaties, and residential schools for public servants and leaders.
- Call to Action #64: Funding and establishing specialized education programs that respect Indigenous spiritual beliefs and histories.
- Call to Action #93: Ensuring newcomers to Canada receive accurate information about Indigenous history and treaties.
I encourage all of us to do the continuous work of educating ourselves on reconciliation. We may not all be politicians, but we possess a voice, a vote, and the power to hold public institutions accountable
