Funded in part thanks to donations from our community – you! – and The Winnipeg Foundation, our new Reconciliation Garden opened yesterday, October 20, 2022.

Under the guiding hand of Elder Ron Bell, who offered a smudging ceremony, songs, and a blessing for the new site, the Reconciliation Garden creates an environment for inclusion of Indigenous practices, inspires conversations about reconciliation, and features plants and details with cultural significance.

When we first imagined the redevelopment of this space a few years ago, our focus was to be consistent with a specific article of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples that proclaims “Indigenous Peoples have the right to their traditional medicines and to maintain their health practices.”

This space represents an opportunity to look forward and consider where we are in our journey towards learning the truth about the past experiences of Indigenous Peoples. It is an invitation to think about what each of us can do next. This space is part of the collective effort to acknowledge our past and strive forward in our commitment toward reconciliation.

The space will accommodate cultural and spiritual practices and also serve as a symbol for non-Indigenous patients, visitors, and staff. Created in consultation with Indigenous Elders and others who contributed their thoughts toward the creation of this space, the Garden was designed to:

–                 Foster an environment of inclusion,

–                 Create dialogue,

–                 Enhance a natural setting for reflection, and

–                 Provide the opportunity for horticultural therapy

Central to the Garden is a carved cedar turtle located at the heart of the Garden. Representing one of the Seven Sacred Teachings – Truth, she was carved by the hospital’s multi-talented Director of Facility Services, Peter Symchuk. Peter, who is half Plains Cree, takes his inspiration from his Indigenous background. He hopes that the turtle – as the central feature of the Garden – will remind visitors to think about what actions they can take to embrace Truth & Reconciliation.

Supported by members of our community and with a generous grant from The Winnipeg Foundation, the Garden was designed by ft3 Architecture Landscape Interior Design with the help of Bedrock Landscaping.

We hope you’ll come by for a visit!

To donate to this Garden and help provide access to support for those in need please call 204-632-3552 or click here.