Finding community and connection on the land

Twig Gruesome had once stepped away from university, frustrated by its competitiveness and lack of connection. What brought her back wasn’t just a program — it was a learning experience that felt collaborative, supportive and rooted in community. That experience came through Concordia’s Indigenous Land-Based Education microprogram, made possible by the generosity of the Chamandy Foundation.

Although Gruesome had always excelled academically, she struggled to feel at home in traditional classrooms. Discovering the land-based program offered a new way to learn — one that emphasized Indigenous knowledge systems, hands-on activities and community engagement.

“While I’m a settler of European descent, I’m also trans and have brown skin, so I have experienced the shortcomings and violence of white supremacy from a young age,” she explains. “Because it is deeply tied to colonization, racism has led me to approach issues with a pro-Indigenous perspective, grounded in care and respect.”

The program combined classroom learning with immersive experiences on the land in Kahnawà:ke. Students worked in small groups to build shelters, make fires with bow drills and explore reciprocal relationships with the natural world.

“I’ve never felt like I’ve learned so much in my life. What was really cool is that we weren’t graded on our ability to learn on the land,” Gruesome says. “I’m not great with my hands and I struggled, but I always felt like I could try and fail and try again. Everyone was so supportive and we made a lot of jokes. It was really fun.”

Students regularly shared meals and discussed course readings, fostering strong friendships and a sense of belonging. “There was a sense of trust and community that was really lovely,” she says.

Inspired by the experience, Gruesome chose to major in First Peoples Studies, appreciating its emphasis on deep learning and personal growth. She has flourished academically, earning a scholarship and a spot on the dean’s list.

“Just being on the land creates such a deep appreciation,” she says. “It changes how you see everything.”

Today, Gruesome carries those teachings into her daily life and looks forward to volunteering at Montreal’s Native Women’s Shelter. She also hopes to pursue graduate studies and, eventually, a career as a professor — a way, she says, “to return the gifts given to me.”

“Knowledge means little without action,” she says. “The Indigenous Land-Based Education microprogram changed how I move through the world. I’m just so grateful — it changed my life.”