The Girl Who Loves Trees

An Indigenous girl and her grandfather share knowledge and traditional teachings about different tree species

A young girl is excited to spend the weekend on the reserve with Grampa. After giving thanks to Creator with an offering of tobacco, Grampa suggests a hike through their family’s traditional land to collect an offering of cedar to take to a community gathering.

The girl is worried—what if collecting branches hurts the tree? But her grandfather explains they will thank the cedar with a gift of tobacco and only take what they need. As they make their way through the bush, the two continue to share their knowledge and admiration for the forest and its many inhabitants.

As readers tag along on this walk through the woods, they will learn about the different uses of pine needles, birch bark, and hemlock. They will also see the importance of passing on traditional teachings and treating the land with care and respect.