The Treaty Land Sharing Network (TLSN) is a collaborative initiative connecting landowners and farmers with First Nations and Métis people to restore access to traditional lands. Since its 2019 inception, the network has grown to include 65 locations across Saskatchewan and Alberta, facilitating the preservation of medicinal plants and the practice of Indigenous ways of life.
How the Treaty Land Sharing Network Operates
The Treaty Land Sharing Network functions by creating a bridge between private landowners and Indigenous individuals seeking safe access to the land. According to the network, this initiative launched in 2019 following the death of Colten Boushie and the subsequent trial of Gerald Stanley. Its primary goal is to foster safer spaces and build meaningful connections between the two groups. As of the latest reporting, the network has mapped 59 locations in Saskatchewan and six in Alberta where farmers and ranchers have opened their properties for activities such as hunting and gathering.
The Treaty Land Sharing Network’s map was officially launched in 2021, providing a structured way for Indigenous knowledge keepers to locate and harvest medicinal plants on private land.
Documenting Medicinal Plants and Traditional Knowledge
A central component of the TLSN project involves creating an inventory of medicinal plants found on participating properties. Linda Obey-Lavallee, a traditional picker and knowledge keeper from Piapot First Nation, has been hired to document these resources. Obey-Lavallee emphasizes that her work involves both identifying plants and retracing the steps of her ancestors. She practices traditional harvesting methods, such as offering tobacco and prayer before picking, and ensuring that only the necessary amount is taken to allow the plants to regrow.
Ross MacDonald, a landowner at 98 Ranch near Lake Alma, has been part of the network since it began. He notes that the collaboration has provided him with a new appreciation for the ecology of his land, including species like chokecherries, Saskatoons, hawthorne bushes, and sage. According to MacDonald, the project has been fulfilling, helping to demystify the interaction between different groups as they work to understand how to share space.
Building Cultural Connections Through Land Stewardship
The project extends beyond plant identification; it serves as a method for cultural education and historical reconnection. Barbara Lavallee, a knowledge keeper who works alongside Linda Obey-Lavallee, highlights that landowners are often surprised to learn about burial sites and historical settlements on their properties. By sharing this information, the project encourages a deeper respect for the land’s history. According to Barbara Lavallee, these interactions are emotionally significant, as they allow Indigenous people to return to places where their ancestors once lived and gathered, supported by the generosity of modern land stewards.
Pro Tips for Land Access and Harvesting
- Respect the Land: Always follow traditional protocols, such as offering tobacco, before harvesting medicinal plants.
- Practice Sustainability: Take only what you need and ensure that the surrounding environment is left undisturbed to encourage regrowth.
- Foster Dialogue: Open communication between landowners and knowledge keepers helps build trust and creates a more welcoming environment for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Treaty Land Sharing Network?
The network aims to create safe access to land for First Nations and Métis people to practice their way of life while building positive connections with private landowners.
How many locations are currently involved in the network?
There are 65 locations documented in the network, with 59 situated in Saskatchewan and six in Alberta.
Who leads the medicinal plant inventory?
Knowledge keepers, including Linda Obey-Lavallee and Barbara Lavallee, are tasked with inventorying medicinal plants and identifying sacred sites on participating properties.
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