The Healing Place
In an initiative with our partners, The Mohawks of Akwesasne, Algonquin First Nations, South Nation Conservation (SNC), Forests Ontarioand Ontario Power Generation. Plenty Canada was part of the creation of "The Healing Place" situated on traditional Algonquin and Mohawk First Nation's territories in Shanly, Ontario.
On September 23rd 2020 a kickoff event was held with a traditional opening ceremony. Over 250 culturally significant native trees were planted
The name, "The Healing Place", speaks to it being a space reconciliation and healing with each other as people and with Mother earth.
On September 23rd 2020 a kickoff event was held with a traditional opening ceremony. Over 250 culturally significant native trees were planted
The name, "The Healing Place", speaks to it being a space reconciliation and healing with each other as people and with Mother earth.
The Design
To our First Nation communities, Mother earth is called Turtle Island and if you look closely at the shape of North America you can see the outline of a turtle. That is why the First nations call this land Turtle Island (1), from above you can see that the shape of the turtle, which we have incorprated into The Healing Place The design of the garden is based on the medicine wheel and the different teachings that go with the wheel. There are many First Nations who have their own teaching so this medicine wheel garden will demonstrate different First Nation’s traditional teachings. The basic design represents the circle of life, no beginning, and no end, the 4 pillars of life mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical connections, and the four Cardinal directions which guide all people. Each quarter has a specific colour, which may also very from Nation to Nation as well, but for this project, red, white, yellow, and black will be used. There are four elements that are needed for life to exist, water, wind, fire, and earth and they are reflected in the design.
The east is where we enter and leave the circle, as visitors traverse the circle, trees mark the 4 Cardinal directions where people can stop and focus on that part of one of the pillars of life. Each station is highlighted by the planting of a culturally significant tree. There will be a raised bed for medicinal herbs next to the center station with a walkway around the outside of the raised bed. The outside garden will have the 7 trees to represent the Grandfather teachings on the center area and the outside of the garden will have 13 trees representing the Grandmother Teachings including the 13 moons. There will be an outside ring of eastern white cedar that will totally enclose the site to provide a quite place for people to enjoy the site and to provide a safe place for self healing.
(1) Refers to the creation story
The east is where we enter and leave the circle, as visitors traverse the circle, trees mark the 4 Cardinal directions where people can stop and focus on that part of one of the pillars of life. Each station is highlighted by the planting of a culturally significant tree. There will be a raised bed for medicinal herbs next to the center station with a walkway around the outside of the raised bed. The outside garden will have the 7 trees to represent the Grandfather teachings on the center area and the outside of the garden will have 13 trees representing the Grandmother Teachings including the 13 moons. There will be an outside ring of eastern white cedar that will totally enclose the site to provide a quite place for people to enjoy the site and to provide a safe place for self healing.
(1) Refers to the creation story