Reconciliation Garden in Breslau returns
Posted May 26, 2023 09:44:42 AM.
Anishnabeg Outreach (AO) is bringing back their Reconciliation Garden for another year.
The 10-acre garden started out thanks to a partnership the Diocese of Hamilton and it helps get food and traditional medicines to over 1000 First Nations, Inuit and Métis community members. It’s also a chance for volunteers to learn about reconciliation.
AO CEO Stephen Jackson told CityNews it’s a fun way to do good in the community.
“When I think of mental health, and everything else that’s going on out there, there’s nothing more beautiful than working out in a field for a couple hours on a sunny day and getting back to nature and learning about reconciliation.”
Jackson said over 10,000 tonnes of food was grown last year, and it’s a major part of what is delivered in the Spirit Bundle program.
The AO Spirit Bundle program provides clothing, household necessities, and more on top of food to over 450 Indigenous families across Waterloo Region and Guelph.
Jackson added that a lot of farmers are also retiring and don’t have a succession plan. He said he hopes that teaching Indigenous people how to farm can lead to them purchasing their own farm some day.
The garden is located on Spitzig road right next to Woodland Christian High School. Anyone can participate, as long as they register on the AO website.
