The Land Before Us follows Nimîsêw, an eleven-year-old Cree girl, as she learns about her culture, her rights, and the responsibilities humans have toward the land. Spending time with her Kôhkom under the prairie sky, she reflects on her parents’ efforts to create a culturally grounded program for children and absorbs lessons about respect, balance, and giving back. Through the story of Kihêw (Eagle), a boy who restores a polluted river, Nimîsêw discovers that love for the land is expressed through action and that even small efforts can inspire a community.

Witnessing the effects of deforestation near her home, Nimîsêw is determined to make a difference. Guided by her Kôhkom, she proposes a seasonal tree-planting ceremony that blends storytelling, drumming, and cultural celebration. Presenting her idea to the local council, she asserts her voice as a child, demonstrating courage, knowledge, and initiative. In the end, the council approves the plan, and Nimîsêw receives seeds of sweetgrass, sage, and Saskatoon berries, a symbol of hope, renewal, and her growing role as a steward of the land. Empowered and inspired, she embraces her connection to culture, community, and the natural world, ready to take her first steps toward a brighter future.