The MNO Credit River Métis Council during the Garden Awakening
and Preparation workshop.
Submitted by Andrea Jibb, MNO CRMC Community Outreach Coordinator
The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Credit River Métis Council (CRMC) is gearing up for the next planting of its community garden project!
Now in its fourth year, the community garden, located in Brampton, has been one of the MNO CRMC’s most successful projects. Run entirely on volunteer contributions, the council was able to donate over 300 pounds of healthy produce in 2015 to the Knight’s Table Food Bank, the Salvation Army Lighthouse in Oakville and to support MNO clients in Brampton.
The community garden project is led by MNO CRMC Treasurer Darlene Lent and MNO CRMC Chair Dale Buisson. Last year, the council planted six garden plots with a variety of plants, including lettuce, cabbage, kale, Swiss chard, jalapeno peppers, green beans, tomatoes, and more! In addition to being a way to give back to the community, the garden has also been a space for sharing and learning for the MNO CRMC community.
Last May, the council hosted a Garden Awakening and Preparation workshop, where participants came out to help prepare the garden beds for planting and to learn all about garden preparation, planting and maintenance from facilitator Lent. To start off the planting season in a good way, MNO CRMC Senator Bill Morrison said an opening prayer and everyone shared in a water ceremony led by MNO CRMC President Karen Derocher.
Later that month, council members gathered for a second workshop to plant the garden. Throughout the summer, a number of volunteers helped weed and water the garden. The council was also able to make preserves with some of the harvest, and its extreme beans and jalapeno rings were served at the council’s Powley Day Celebration and Louis Riel Day Celebration.
Additionally, the MNO CRMC has been advised that the MNO Toronto and York Region Métis Council youth are planning their own community garden and have been in touch with Lent for information and advice. The MNO CRMC is very pleased and proud that the youth will be tackling this rewarding and beneficial project and wishes them the best of luck!
The council gratefully acknowledges its supporters for the community garden project, including MNO Healing and Wellness, the City of Brampton, Ontario Trillium Foundation, and the Region of Peel. For more information on the MNO CRMC garden project or on how to contribute, please visit the council’s website.
Published on: March 22, 2016