How does the loss of family directly lead to a loss of a connection to the land for the Indian Horse family? Explain

Family and land are intertwined. Family lives with and from the land: take either away and theb family collapses. We see this in Indian Horse. Saul's family heals in God's Lake but once Benjamin dies and they leave, the family unit breaks down. The children in St. Jerome's long to return to the land. Even sneaking out to the creek is enough for them to remember their families and connection with the land.