Each June, Canadians celebrate and honour the histories, heritages, languages and diversity of First Nations, Métis and Inuit as part of both National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21).
“When we walk through the U of A Botanic Garden, we are moving through a landscape that carries both visible and invisible histories, some preserved in story and memory, and others still reflected in the plants and terrain themselves.” — Russ McRae, Métis guide and certified wilderness survival and woods travel instructor
As part of the Pathways: Mêskanâs: Celebrating Indigenous Culture event at the University of Alberta Botanic Garden on June 14, 2026, Russ McRae will host Walking with the Plants — a guided tour exploring the rich heritage of the grounds’ wild flora and landscapes.
In what is far more than an exercise in plant identification, Russ will share stories about Indigenous knowledge systems and how they are rooted in observation, experience and connection to place.
“Indigenous Peoples understood the land as a living system, where plants, animals, water and people are all interconnected,” he says. “Rather than presenting history as something separate from the plants, I share how Indigenous Peoples have developed relationships with these plants over thousands of years. These teachings are not just historical, they continue to shape how many Indigenous people relate to the land today.”
Russ first connected with the U of A Botanic Garden during a winter plant tour he was hosting. Among the guests was Kerry Mulholland, communications and marketing coordinator for the garden, who was so captivated by his storytelling that the two immediately began discussing how they could collaborate to bring deeper, more meaningful educational experiences to the garden.
While this will be his first time leading this particular wild plant tour, Russ has worked in outdoor education for more than 15 years, teaching youth and helping people build meaningful connections with the natural world.
“Participants can expect to learn about traditional uses of plants for food, medicine, tools and everyday living, as well as the values of respect, reciprocity and stewardship that guided those relationships,” he says, adding that wild plants are “some of our greatest teachers and providers.”
The U of A Botanic Garden is located within Treaty 6 territory and the traditional homelands of many Indigenous Peoples, including the Cree, Nakota Sioux, Blackfoot, Saulteaux, Dene and Métis. This region along the North Saskatchewan River system, Russ explains, has long been a place of movement, meeting, trade and seasonal gathering.
“The garden provides an incredible setting for people to slow down, observe closely, ask questions and discover the stories that exist all around them and remember that we are part of the natural world, not separate from it,” he says. “I hope people leave with a stronger relationship to the land and a greater appreciation for the plants they pass every day without noticing.”
Along with Walking with the Plants, Pathways: Mêskanâs promises to be an immersive and unforgettable family-friendly event. Coordinated by Elder Monica Rain, a Nakota Sioux knowledge keeper, artist and dedicated cultural educator, the event will showcase Indigenous fashion, music, dance, food and crafting activities, while also hosting an artisan market and a special welcome ceremony in the Indigenous Peoples Garden.
“Mêskanâs is an expression of what the Pathways Series was always meant to be: a genuine meeting place,” says Fabienne Mamane-Virani, customer and marketing development officer at the U of A Botanic Garden. “We are honoured to welcome Indigenous artists, elders, knowledge keepers and their communities into the garden, and we invite all Albertans to come and be part of something that is alive and meaningful.”
The University of Alberta Botanic Garden hosts Mêskanâs: Celebrating Indigenous Culture on Sunday, June 14, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Designed for families of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy. For tickets and more information, visit the event website. Note: Indigenous Food Box, craft activities and Walking with the Plants must be reserved in advance and have an additional cost.
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