Adventure 2

Exploring Place, Indigenous Knowledge, and Our Connection to the Land through Storytelling

*Note: This is a working draft and hasn’t been tested in a classroom yet. Feedback is more than welcome to refine and improve it at globalgreensprouts@gmail.com.

Long before cities, schools, and roads, the Coast Salish peoples lived on and cared for this land. 🌿 But their story isn’t just in the past—Indigenous peoples are still here today, protecting nature, sharing their knowledge, and leading efforts to restore the environment.

In this adventure, we’ll step into the past and present, learning how Indigenous communities respect and care for nature and how we can apply this wisdom today to build a better future!

One morning, the gang stumbled upon Grandfather Cedar, an ancient, wise tree with branches so long they looked like a tree-version of a grandpa’s beard.

“Gather close, young ones,” Grandfather Cedar said in his deep, rumbly voice. “I have seen many seasons. Long ago, the Coast Salish people cared for this land and they do so still today. They harvest only what they need and give thanks to nature.”

Gary leaned in, fascinated. "So, like… they didn’t take more than their fair share?"

"Exactly," said Grandfather Cedar. "They understand that everything is connected—the trees, the rivers, the animals, and even the people. Each has a role to play in keeping the land healthy."

Chickadee flapped excitedly. “Ooooh! I love stories! Do you have one about a brave chickadee saving the day?”

Grandfather Cedar chuckled. "Perhaps, but first, let me tell you about the land you call home. The Coast Salish people have always known that every plant and animal here has a purpose. The Western Red Cedar, for example—my kind—has provided wood for canoes, homes, and clothing for thousands of years. The Camas flower, with its beautiful blue blossoms, was an important food source, its bulbs carefully harvested and cooked. And nettles, though prickly, were used for medicine and to make strong fibers for clothing and nets."

Douglas the Squirrel piped up, “And what about animals like me? What’s my role?”

Grandfather Cedar smiled. “Squirrels help plant trees! When you bury acorns and forget about them, they grow into mighty oaks. Just as the salmon bring nutrients from the ocean back to the forest, feeding the trees and the creatures that live here.”

Gary’s tiny acorn eyes widened. “Wait! You mean, without salmon, even trees wouldn’t be as strong?”

“Exactly,” said Grandfather Cedar. “The salmon travel from the ocean to the creeks, bringing food that helps plants grow. And in return, the trees shade the streams, keeping the water cool for the salmon. Everything is connected.”

Just then, a flash of red darted through the trees. It was a Pileated Woodpecker, hammering away at a Douglas Fir.

“See that woodpecker?” Grandfather Cedar said. “It’s making holes in the tree, which later become homes for owls and other small creatures. And those creatures help keep the balance by eating insects and spreading seeds. One action leads to another—it’s all part of a web of life.”

Gary, Douglas, and Chickadee sat in awe. They had never realized how deeply everything was linked.

Mother White Oak’s branches swayed gently. “That’s why it’s important to take care of nature, just as the Coast Salish people have done for generations. When we respect the land, it takes care of us in return.”

The wind whispered through the forest, carrying the scent of cedar and the sound of rustling leaves. Gary felt a deep sense of belonging. He wasn’t just an acorn—he was part of something much bigger.

Let's Feel

Imagine you are a tree. Feel your feet rooted into the ground like roots, your arms stretching toward the sky like branches. How does it feel to be strong and connected to the earth?