Memorial garden to reflect Truth and Reconciliation teachings

The Faculty of Education opened its own Aboriginal Gathering Space last year—a spacious light-filled room featuring comfortable seating and a small kitchen, with cultural photos and teachings adorning the walls.

Now, Ron Johnston, director of the faculty’s Office of Indigenous Education, has ambitious plans for a Truth and Reconciliation memorial garden and outdoor classroom adjacent to the gathering place.

William Lindsay, director of the Office for Aboriginal Peoples, has committed some initial funding and he and Johnston are hoping to find more funding to establish a memorial art wall.

It would depict B.C.’s Indian residential schools, along with niches for seven candles representing Truth and Reconciliation’s seven sacred fires and teachings. These are: truth, humility, honesty, wisdom, respect, courage and love. The garden would also feature traditional plants, medicines and herbs, and a reconciliation memorial pole.

Johnston sees the garden as an extension of the faculty’s commitment to recognize and honour the traditional and unceded lands of the Coast Salish People, as well as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action, and our inherent connection to land. His vision includes students acting as stewards of the garden while learning about Indigenous plants, traditions and protocols as they use these ‘teachings’ in their educational practice.

“The garden will be a place for all people to enjoy, socialize and learn together,” says Johnston, “as we all move forward on our Truth and Reconciliation journey.”