This learning task was deeply personal and unexpectedly powerful. It was inspired by something simple, yet meaningful that Shelly, one of the Indigenous Elders who visited our class, shared during our conversation: the act of carrying rocks from places that matter. When she spoke about how these rocks hold stories, spirit, and connection to the land, something in me shifted. I realized that I, too, have places in my life that ground me.

Shelly’s practice helped me see land differently, not just as background, but as relationship. It taught me that we can form bonds with place in small, intentional ways. That’s what led me to choose this topic for my project. I thought about a quiet lookout near my home where I often go for walks or long talks with my mom, and I brought back a small rock from that spot. Holding it, sketching it, and reflecting on its meaning became a way of honoring that space and everything it holds for me.

Through this activity, I learned that even a single object can carry deep meaning if we allow ourselves to slow down and reflect. I also saw how powerful land-based practices are in helping us reconnect, with the natural world, with ourselves, and with those we love. What might seem like a simple act, like picking up a rock, can actually be an entry point into a different way of seeing, thinking, and being.

This task reminded me that learning doesn’t always happen in big moments. Sometimes, it happens in silence, in stillness, or in a small rock that helps you feel rooted. I’m grateful to Shelly and Dustin for showing us that. Through this process, I’ve started to carry more than just an object, I carry a deeper sense of presence, gratitude, and a growing commitment to moving through the world with more care and intention.