Roots and Roads: Reciprocity in Nature and Relations

Caring for the environment is a lifelong commitment that runs deeper than recycling properly and reducing waste. While these daily practices are a good start, it is important to recognize that the relationship between us and the planet is a two-way street. Nature provides the air, water, and land to sustain us; in return, we reciprocate this gift through active care, respect, and gratitude.

At its core, reciprocity in nature means shifting our perspective to see the environment as a living relative, rather than viewing it as marketable property or raw materials. With this view, the Earth becomes our teacher. It replenishes us with clean air, food, and living, nurturing soil. And to give back, it is our responsibility to offer our appreciation: taking only what is needed and actively protecting the environment from pollution, harmful emissions, and habitat disruption.

Across Northwestern Ontario and Manitoba, Anishinaabe and Cree Nations have demonstrated a deep-rooted reciprocity throughout every season since time immemorial.

Before harvesting any plants or medicines, offering tobacco to the Earth is a sacred practice used to ask for permission and thank the plant for its generosity. In the autumn, harvesters gather wild rice (manoomin) with intentional care: taking only what is needed, allowing seeds to fall and replenish the supply for future seasons, leaving nourishment for other wildlife.

Water is another essential relationship. Rather than treating it as an endless commodity, it is important to honour and respect the water as a living relative that connects and sustains us all.

Whether you live out in the country or in an urban downtown apartment suite, anyone can implement reciprocity into their daily lives.

• Harvest and Gather with Care: When collecting plants in local parks or nearby green spaces, follow mindful harvesting guidelines: only take what you truly need. Never pick the earliest blooms of spring, and leave enough behind for pollinators to feed, wildlife to thrive, and native seeds to spread. To balance what is taken, spend extra time cleaning up litter along your path. This is a simple way to ensure that spaces are left better than the way they were found.
• Replenish What You Take: We can return nutrients to the Earth by utilizing backyard or green bin composting to ensure organic materials stay out of landfills and replenish the soil. Deepening our relationship with nature can also be as simple as learning the names of birds, foliage, and trees in the neighbourhood. Shifting our mindset from passively walking past green spaces to actively noticing them allows us to view nature more as kin.
• Honour Water in the Community: Treat domestic water supplies as a living gift rather than a limitless utility. Small everyday habits, like turning off the tap while brushing your teeth or scrubbing dishes, reduce our daily consumption and impact on local water systems. Taking this action further can include dedicating personal time to participate in riverbank cleanups or supporting local Indigenous-led conservation initiatives.

It can be implemented into our everyday routines by slowing down and paying closer attention to the living world surrounding us.

Each small action, whether in the kitchen or out on local trails, ensures that the gifts we receive from the Earth are respected and sustained for future generations.