Guiding Our Path

Our principles guide our process, acting as the foundation for decision-making and working together. They ensure the spirit and intent of the How We Walk initiative is respected throughout everything we do. The seasonal round provides us with a framework for our work, ensuring we’re considering seasonal changes and states of being (emotional, physical, spiritual, mental).

Line drawing of two small birds, facing each other, perched on the ground, sketched in brown lines on a black background.

The Basis of Our Land Relationship Planning

These principles were created under the guidance and direction of our Elders’ and Youth Advisory Committee, ensuring that we follow Indigenous ways and laws in all we do.

Click the arrows below to see each of our guiding principles.

Outline drawing of a rabbit in brown, facing to the left, on a black background.

"We are a rooted people. Our guiding principles show us how we do things. Our process is our foundation for our roots. How We Walk with the Land & Water is putting our process into action"

Markaret McKay, HWW Elders' and Youth Advisory Committe Member

Our Guiding Principles

  • Illustration of a meeting with various humanoid animals, including a moose with a red hat, a unicorn, a horse with a pipe, and a moose with smoke, seated around a round table with documents.

    Honour Our Relations

    Our connections make us stronger. We recognize what we have in common, and respect each other’s customs and processes as we move together as one.

    “We don’t separate, we go as a whole, we leave no one out, we move together.” - Patrick James, C/TFN Elder

  • Illustration of hands holding a map, a quill, and a heart with arteries, symbolizing exploration and emotion.

    Acknowledge Everything Is Connected

    We value different ways of knowing, being, doing and feeling; including traditional, technical and scientific approaches. We aim to provide a First Nations perspective, which reflects our interdependence with the land and water. We are the land, and the land is us.

    “Science and spirituality must travel together in the human heart of the future.” - Colleen James, C/TFN

  • Illustration of a family of animals and humans in the Arctic, including a polar bear, a moose, a whale, a fox, and people, all standing on ice with a black background.

    Generations Coming Together

    Involve all generations together, so that the transfer of knowledge occurs and the relationships are strengthened. We recognize that our actions affect the future.

    “Our knowledge is irreplaceable. It is everybody’s job to pass on our knowledge of ‘how’ to take care of the land & water. ~ Shirley Beattie, TKC Elder

  • A cartoonish illustration of a potato with feet and eyes, and a face with lips and teeth.

    How We Talk, How We Walk

    We conduct ourselves with respect when interacting with each other and the land and water. Our words frame our thinking and direct our actions. We work to be flexible and adaptive in our processes.

    “Need to watch how you speak. Don’t’ talk ahead of your game - We can’t predict the future; it is prideful behaviour to assume you can.” - Goat Story told by Mark Wedge, C/TFN Elder

  • Illustration of a fish being prepared for cooking, with a person's hand holding a fork and a knife carving into the fish

    Give Something Back After Taking

    We understand our responsibilities to each other, the animals, and the land and water, so we never take without giving back. We do this by offering ceremony and prayer, and sharing our knowledge, values, and laws.

    “We have to recognize that we have a job to do, we have to be the voice for those things that cannot speak.” - Richard Craft, KDFN Elder

Our Approach

Line drawing of three animals, possibly deer or similar, moving from left to right.

The Seasonal Round

The guiding principles support the Indigenous seasonal round framework. The Seasonal Round illustrates the interconnectedness of our work. It reflects the seasonal patterns that guide our practices and respect for the land, water, and all our relations.

Spring - balance and respect

A time of new growth; through listening, learning, and understanding. Respecting the land and water, and all of its inhabitants. Understanding that actions now will affect the future. 

In spring people moved to the mouths of creeks for grayling and to collect plants such as bear root.

Summer - wholeness

A time when First Nations people come together to work (i.e. fishing, gathering, berry picking, summer camps). A time of fullness and bloom when all of the preparation, education, sharing, and respect become apparent. 

Early summer traders came from the coast and neighbours came from afar to visit. Late summer brought salmon harvesting and drying activities in places like Kwanlin.

Fall - inter-relationship

A time when our relationships are strengthened during harvest. The health of the land, water, and people is interconnected—when the relationship among them is strong, all thrive together.

Fall was for moose and sheep hunting, meat processing and storage and hide tanning and sewing.

Winter - inter-connectedness

A time of healing and rest, reflection, connection, and preparation. Learning through reflection and sharing information with family and friends.

In winter, people formed small family groups near lakes where they could fish and hunt.

A circular diagram illustrating the four seasons with associated spiritual, emotional, physical, and emotional states, centered around a core labeled 'SELF'. The seasons are Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall, with animals and symbols depicting each season.