By Learning Lead – Michelle Tan
I will forever remember Lisa Big Snake at the White Bison farm. Her story resonated with me deeply, and I was humbled by the brief but profound dialogue we shared. When she asked if I had offered tobacco to the land, I told her that the first tree I saw on the farm was where I placed the tobacco, wishing for the farm to continue to prosper and for the land to protect everyone there. Our exchange at the farm was short, as we had to catch the bus to continue the itinerary, but it was unforgettable. She spoke about how every child matters to everyone on the bus, and in that moment, her words, her gift, and her presence left an imprint on my heart.
After this encounter at the White Bison farm, I felt compelled to create a space where others could feel what I felt: safe, seen, and sacred. The project: From Soil to Spirit: Rooted Reflections was not born as a traditional program but was meant more like a living act of reciprocity. It carries forward the gifts I have received through my own journey and creates a space where immigrants, survivors, racialized individuals, and those carrying intergenerational trauma can feel safe, acknowledged and connected. This is where the idea of a writing workshop came to life, as well as this poem.
On a warm July evening, the first session of writing came to life. We gathered in a space that immediately felt safe, sacred, and deeply present, a feeling I had so hoped to create. I watched as participants explored guided letter-writing exercises, putting pen to paper to open a dialogue with the land around us. The room buzzed with a quiet energy as each person shared their stories.
Participants used various art mediums to express their personal dreams for the future, moving from intellectual concepts to concrete creations. It was inspiring to see how everyone, regardless of their creative background, found a way to express their vision. We focused on reflection, connection, and visionary thinking, rather than on the final product, which helped create a safe space for everyone to participate.
How did we do it?
Through guided prompts and creative exercises, participants were invited to write letters to the land. They could express gratitude, grief, hope, and personal stories, with the aim of allowing emotions and thoughts to flow freely without judgment. In another version of the workshop that I imagined, I would hope to teach the fundamentals of sketching and explore it through the observation and drawing of native plants found in Ontario.
It was in this small, shared act that a sense of grounding began to form, not just in me, but in everyone present. By the end of the hour, we had created more than just letters. We had built a meaningful circle of care, and each person carried a newfound sense of reciprocity with the land and community around them.
I also daydream about hosting a third workshop focused on Sculpting Pendants, where the participants would be invited to be hands-on through the creation of wearable art. Using a variety of mediums such as clay, natural materials, and found objects, participants could craft pendants designed to serve as symbols of protection, strength, and personal intention.
Now what?
From Soil to Spirit: Rooted Reflections has become more than a series of workshops; it has become a lifeline, a living reminder of why I continue to show up, create, and connect. The people I have met along the way, and the words they have shared, remind me every day to be present, to witness, and to carry forward the gifts I have received. As the project grows, it carries the light of Danielle Moore’s vision.
Youth like Danielle Moore believed in a future sustainability was a priority. She started the “Cautious Optimist” project as a way to learn skills to build that future and document her insights.
Danielle, your courage to explore, learn, and share openly created a space for curiosity, growth, and hope. Though we never met in person, your legacy, strong spirit, and soul continue to live on with us.
Dear Danielle,
Even though I have never met you,
your legacy and spirit continue to live among us.
I wish we could have shared a coffee chat—
to talk of our woes,
to laugh at the tiny joys of life
that we so deeply remind ourselves to notice.
Thank you for being a part of my life,
even in the fleeting moments that pass me by.
You are ever-present with us,
guiding, inspiring, and reminding us to move forward
with courage, curiosity, and heart.
This work is dedicated to you; a living continuation of your legacy, where learning, healing, and creativity intertwine, and where your belief in possibility continues to inspire all who encounter it.
xoxo
Another cautious optimist