My Mother Wild

Abstract

Indigenous land relationships are central for Indigenous wellness, ceremonies, language, and cultural resurgence; as original caretakers of Turtle Island, the relationship with land is a profoundly spiritual one. This same relationship has also been the focus of colonial forces’ division, separation, and control, resulting in dislocation from traditional territories and ensuing impacts across all domains of Indigenous health and wellbeing. This article reviews existing literature that centralizes Indigenous land relationships, and contributes the reflections and stories of Indigenous youth that participated in this author’s dissertation study. Employing a narrative inquiry methodology with oral storytelling traditions, nine Indigenous youth and four traditional knowledge keepers were interviewed and shared their experiences on urban migrations, employment, education, and mental health. Their connections and reflections on land are included here, with key reflections, proposed connections to existing literature, and in-depth exploration that centers and promotes Indigenous land-based healing and education efforts.