In his audio essay for On Creative Writing, Ken Wilson, author of Walking the Bypass: Notes on Place from the Side of the Road, explores the transformative power of walking as both a reflective and creative practice. Ken shares how his regular walks along Regina’s controversial bypass—a space often dismissed as a “non-place”—became a catalyst for personal insight, creative inspiration, and a deeper connection to the land. Through his experiences, Ken demonstrates how attentive walking can turn overlooked or utilitarian spaces into meaningful places, rich with stories and significance. A professor of creative writing at the University of Regina, Ken gives some history and context of the Regina bypass, discussing its impact on the landscape, local communities, and the ways people relate to their environment. He reflects on the concept of “non-places,” a term used to describe spaces like highways, airports, and shopping malls that are designed for transit rather than dwelling. By walking these spaces with intention and presence, Ken challenges the idea that any place is truly devoid of meaning. Instead, he suggests that meaning emerges through our relationships with the land, our memories, and the stories we bring to these spaces. Part of the audio essay centers on Indigenous concepts of kinship and the sacredness of all places. Ken discusses how Indigenous worldviews emphasize interconnectedness—not just among people, but with animals, plants, water, and the land itself. He contrasts this with settler colonial histories that often treat land as property or a resource to be exploited, leading to a sense of disconnection and alienation. By weaving these perspectives together, Ken encourages listeners to reconsider their own relationships with the places they inhabit and move through, no matter how mundane or overlooked they may seem. In this narrative, Ken considers how walking can become a meditative and creative act. He talks about the ways in which walking helps him process thoughts, generate ideas for writing, and cultivate a sense of presence. For Ken, walking is not just a means of getting from one place to another, but a way of being in the world—an opportunity to slow down, observe, and engage more deeply with the environment. Ken asks us to recognize the histories embedded in the land, the stories that shape our understanding of space, and the responsibilities we have as inhabitants and stewards. He advocates for a more thoughtful, responsible relationship with the environments we often overlook, reminding us that every place—no matter how ordinary—holds the potential for connection, meaning, and transformation. Whether you’re a writer, a walker, or someone interested in place-based thinking, this episode offers inspiration and practical wisdom for cultivating a deeper sense of belonging and responsibility to the world around you. Links to books, authors, and subjects mentioned in this audio essay: The Plains Cree word is wâhkôhtowin. The macrons on the vowels are important; some words in Cree mean something different when the long vowels aren't marked. "Ruderal" is the word for disturbance used in Bettina Stoetzer's 2018 article, "Ruderal Ecologies: Rethinking Nature, Migration." Her new book, City: Ecologies of Migration, Race, and Urban Nature in Berlin, was published in 2022 by Duke University Press Books. Author Louise Halfe, who Ken once walked with. Chief Loud Voice's words come from Alexander Morris's account of the treaty negotiations (Project Gutenberg). Philosophers' Walks, by Bruce Baugh. A Philosophy of Walking, by By Frédéric Gros. Wanderlust: A History of Walking, by Rebecca Solnit. Métis artist Bob Boyer. Trevor Herriott, prairie writer, naturalist, and activist. The Regina Bypass.
