BC Parks Foundation

Leslie’s niece and daughter, members of Thélá:ylexw awtxw Foundation—The House of Life Givers, experience the first snowfall of the season.

“Footsteps of Our Ancestors” Hiking Series Offers Healing and Connection in Parks

Leslie Bonshor stood in quiet wonder as the very first snow of the season fell softly around her and the women of Thélá:ylexw awtxw Foundation—The House of Life Givers.  

The flakes drifted from the sky and landed on the group of aunties, sisters, mothers, and grandmothers, gathered on a forest trail within their traditional Stó:lō territory. They were a surprise, these early snowflakes, and they brought with them serenity and a sense of renewal. 

“It’s like being in a shower,” says Leslie, who leads the Foundation. “Everything is washed away. For our culture and many cultures around the world, precipitation is a cleansing force, restoring the land and the soul.” 

This hike, part of the “Following in the Footsteps of Our Ancestors” series supported by BC Parks Foundation’s Spark Fund, was about facilitating moments like this—when nature offers its timeless power to heal and renew. 

With more than 600 cumulative hours spent outside on their territory, the Stó:lō women of Thélá:ylexw awtxw have walked in the same paths of their ancestors, honouring the deep bond they share with the land. 

As they moved through the forest, Leslie reflected, “Every time you step outside, it’s like an Etch-a-Sketch. Every little plant, every speck of dust and gravel, the trees—whether they’re blooming, or the leaves are falling, or it’s snowing—it’s always different. And that reminds you that everything is always changing. Our only job is to be present for it. The land has a way of pulling you into the now.” 

The idea for these hikes was born from conversations during the pandemic, when the need for community and connection became more urgent.  

What began as a small group of women seeking solidarity turned into a vibrant, nation-based organization with over 700 members, all dedicated to uplifting Stó:lō women and advocating for their rightful place in the world.

“We were just a group of women talking about how great it would be to come together, to do something as a collective,” Leslie shared. “We wanted to create a voice for Indigenous women, to have a space where we could support each other.” 

One particular moment during the hiking series stands out for Leslie—when her niece, who had experienced profound trauma and loss, found healing in the presence of nature. 

“At first, she wasn’t sure about coming on the hike,” Leslie shares. “She had been through a lot—losing her partner to an overdose and carrying other heavy burdens. But once she was on the land, surrounded by her community, something shifted. I could see the healing happening, just by being out there. It was the best thing for her.” 

As the group continued their hike, moving slowly through the trees, Leslie reflected on how important it is for younger generations to experience a connection to the land. 

“We have to show our youth what it means to be connected to the land. They have to understand that this is where our strength comes from. When they know their roots, when they know they belong to the land, they’ll carry that strength forward. Our great-grandmothers, our ancestors, were so strong. They survived, they thrived, and they passed that strength down to us. When we share that with our youth, it connects them to something much bigger than themselves.” 

The truth is, not everyone can just go hiking. For many community-led groups, getting out on the land takes more than just the desire to go—it requires time, coordination, and resources. The Spark Fund helps turn these visions into reality by providing small grants to help cover real costs: transportation to remote sites, gear like hiking poles and proper footwear, nourishment for long days outside, and providing gifts of thanks to Elders who act as guides.  

Donate to the Spark Fund today and help more communities reconnect with the land, restore cultural strength, and walk in the footsteps of their ancestors.