I had the opportunity to do some reading and enjoy some spirited discussions on our recent trip to northern Quebec. One of the topics that kept coming up was the lack of decent terminology in english for the simple, outdoor lifestyle based on skill, simple tools and a relationship with the land and it’s resources. We use terms like bushcraft, survival, etc., some of which are a better fit than others. But I find I always have to add a few sentences to whatever word I choose. Contrast this with the Cree word miyupimaatisiium (translated as “being alive well”, and meaning a connection between land, health and identity) and the Scandinavian concept of friluftsliv (translated as “open air life”), where both are utterly descriptive of what is referred to.

What words do you use to describe the lifestyle?  Join the discussion on the Jack Mountain Bushcraft Network.