An Indigenous Healing Garden at a Maple Ridge school has had a very needed face lift thanks to a dedicated teacher and a group of 15 student volunteers.
Over a couple of weekends in April the group of volunteers planted shrubs, trees, and flowering plants, they installed stone a low wall, and created a space that Janine Leblanc hopes will be used by anyone in the school or the community at large.
Leblanc noted the dedicated space is for health, healing, and learning, and will be open to anyone in the community who wants to connect with the land.
Plants that were put in the garden were chosen for their healing properties.
“This particular area of the school is very important to me to share with everyone as being Metis and learning my culture, that was forbidden and made shameful, is now my medicine,” explained the Grade 1 teacher.
“Yennadon Healing garden is my legacy to past, present, and future Yennadon families and Yennadon Community,” she said.
Leblanc noted there is no money, nor staff, to maintain the outside gardens, forest areas, and courtyards at the school.
It is a project she took on in 2012.
Funds to maintain these areas have come from Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots program, which Leblanc received $1,000 yearly.
“That is the only financial support Yennadon’s Healing Garden and outdoor green learning areas have ever received,” said Leblanc.
Leblanc said she learned over the years, that being Metis she was considered mixed race and felt she didn’t fit in anywhere.
She noted she was considered too white or not coloured enough.
Leblanc said the Metis continues to be judged by the Canadian government on how much percentage of Indigenous blood they are. “Unfortunately, many Indigenous woman were taken and used but were never good enough to marry. Therefore, my ancestors have been dealing with racism and not belonging for many years,” said Leblanc.
“This is why having a Healing Garden which invites anyone to come and be with nature’s natural medicines! I always teach my students that our First Peoples are the true Indigenous ancestors of Turtle Island (North America),” Leblanc continued.
Leblanc is proud to have built a safe and loving place for the school community.
“I will continue to maintain these areas even once I have retired as an educator,” said Leblanc.
“I am Yennadon’s Healing Garden and Forest’s guardian and protector.“
Over the past 15 years, Leblanc has personally raised more than $15,000 for Yennadon Elementary’s outside learning areas.