The Land Knows Me: A Nature Walk Exploring Indigenous Wisdom
Written by Leigh Joseph
Illustrated by Natalie Schnitter
Published by becker&mayer! kids (The Quarto Group)
BOOK SYNOPSIS
Through the Squamish language and cultural traditions, learn about Indigenous plant relationships and how we are all connected to nature through plant-based foods, medicines, and materials.
The best way to learn about plants is through observing and interacting with living examples. Join Held by the Land author Leigh Joseph and her children in The Land Knows Me, an educational and 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.
This essential and colourful introduction to Indigenous plant knowledge includes informative sidebars, reflection questions, and plant names in both Squamish and English so you can learn a new language.
The Land Knows Me concludes with a 15-plant profile directory featuring detailed plant illustrations and kid-friendly botanical drawings to aid in learning about the many great uses for plants and their First Nations history. You’ll meet plants like:
- Ḵwiĺayus (kw-ill-eye-os), Red-Flowering Currant, Ribes sanguineum
- Ḵ’emeláý (k-em-ill-eye), Bigleaf Maple, Acer macrophyllum
- Séliýaý (s-elle-ee-eye), Oregon Grape, Mahonia nervosa
- Xápaýay (hey-pie-eye), Western Red Cedar, Thuja plicata
- Ḵwe7úpaý (kw-oh-pa-eye), Pacific Crabapple, Malus fusca
- And more!
The directory also includes essential safety and proper harvesting information for adults seeking more opportunities to educate and engage with children while discovering the secrets of the land around us. Including mindfulness activities, how-to crafts, and yummy treats, The Land Knows Me calls you back again and again to learn something new with each engaging read!
Follow the stream, cross the field, and step into a forest rich in botanical diversity rooted in history and tradition.
LEIGH JOSEPH
Dr. Leigh Joseph is an ethnobotanist, Assistant Professor at Simon Fraser University, and author from the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) First Nation. She contributes to cultural knowledge renewal in connection to Indigenous plant and land-based relationships. Her work explores how culturally important plants support healing and empower Indigenous Peoples to define their own land-based health and wellness practices.
Leigh is the author of children’s book The Land Knows Me: A Nature Walk Exploring Indigenous Wisdom and Held by the Land: A Guide to Indigenous Plants for Wellness, a bestselling nonfiction book that’s part narrative, part field guide and recipe book. Her Held by the Land Deck features 45 cards of Indigenous plants and their properties and a booklet with recipes, stories and traditions around the plants.
Leigh aims to contribute her voice to literature in the field of ethnobotany and land-based knowledge renewal so that other Indigenous authors and students will feel represented and reflected.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Website: http://www.leighjoseph.com
Instagram: @dr_leighjoseph_ethnobotanist
Email: leigh@skwalwen.com
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Books:
Joseph, L. (2023). Held By the Land: A Guide to Indigenous Plants for Wellness. Wellfleet Press New York, NY.
Joseph, L. (2024) Held by the Land Deck: 45 Ways to Use Indigenous Plants for Healing & Nourishment. Wellfleet Press New York, NY.
Joseph, L. (2025). The Land Knows Me: A Nature Walk Exploring Indigenous Wisdom. Becker & mayer! Kids, New York, NY
Journal Articles:
Joseph, L., Cuerrier, A., and Mathews, D. (2022). Shifting Narratives, Recognizing Resilience: Taking Anti-Oppressive and Decolonial Approaches to Ethnobotanical Research with Indigenous Communities in Canada. Botany (100):65-81.
Joseph, L. (2021). Walking on our lands again: Turning to culturally important plants and Indigenous conceptualizations of health in a time of cultural and political resurgence. International Journal of Indigenous Health, 16(1), 165-179. doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/10.32799/ijih.v16i1.33205
Joseph, L., and Turner N. J. (2020.) “The Old Foods Are the New Foods!”: Erosion and Revitalization of Indigenous Food Systems in Northwestern North America. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. 4:270. DOI:10.3389/fsufs.2020.596237
Joseph, Leigh. (2013). Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) First Nation, case study, in Reclaiming Our Plant Traditions: The Importance of Indigenous Foods, by N. J. Turner and D. Lepofsky. BC Studies 179:189-209
NATALIE SCHNITTER
Natalie Schnitter is an illustrator and graphic designer based on the unceded traditional territories of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Nation. Since graduating from Emily Carr University of Art + Design in 2016 with a Major in Illustration, she now works as a graphic designer in the film and television industry.
Originally from Vancouver Island, Natalie’s personal and professional work is deeply influenced by her connection to nature. Outside the studio, she enjoys rock climbing and spending time with her friends, family, and two cats.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Website: http://www.natalieschnitter.com
Instagram: @nataliececelia
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@natalie.cecelia
Email: natalieschnitter@gmail.com
