Erin Halonen was born, raised and continues to live in rural northern Alberta, Canada. She is an Educator, Indigenous ally, and rural lifestyle advocate. She has a deep connection to the land and animals. Living off the land is one of her many passions.

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Grounding and Connecting

Spending time in nature provides much needed grounding and helps us get out of our heads and connected to the earth. Many people enjoy gardening for this reason. I am an avid garden. My love for gardening probably began as a child when I spent time helping my grandma in her garden, pickling and or freezing the vegetables harvested. There is something fulfilling about harvesting the fruits of my labour each autumn.

Foraging

In recent years, I have been equally interested and invested in foraging or harvesting wild plants, flowers, and roots as well as learning about their health filled benefits. Covid shut downs really gave me the time to dive deeper into learning more about local wild plants.

Harvesting clover (pink, white and purple), horsetail, pineapple weed, yarrow, rose petals and buds, dandelion root and flower, parsley, mint, nettle, diamond willow fungus, and sage to name a few. These plants all grow right in or near my yard. Sadly, many of these plants are considered weeds and sprayed with herbicides to be eradicated despite their many health benefits.

What do the Elders say?

Indigenous Elders have taught me that using the plants that grow naturally on the land one is from is best. If you plan to ask an Elder to teach you about plant medicines, please follow cultural protocol and offer tobacco to them. If you are harvesting plants also offer tobacco to Mother Earth and the plant as an act of reciprocity for the health benefits it brings to you. This is an act of gratitude, a moment to recognize that what you are receiving is a gift not an entitlement.

Find out more …

In 2021 I started a Foragers of Alberta Facebook page. There are currently 4000 members supporting and sharing of ethical foraging practices so that generations to come will be able to forage too. Check it out, if you have interest.

Do you have a favourite wild botanical that you harvest or memory of harvesting with family? Please share it with us in the comments below.

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Be well.