The Indigenous Garden: A Living Space for Reflection, Learning and Reconciliation

The Indigenous Garden, located on the unceded, traditional territories of the Səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), and Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations, is more than just a green space—it is a symbol of healing and learning. The Garden serves as a dedicated area for celebrating Indigenous knowledges, pedagogies, practices, and ceremonies, as well as reflection and dialogue. It is also a place that invites community healing and profound learning.

Jennie Blankinship, Manager of the Office of Indigenous Education, explains: "The idea was to create a space that not only honours the survivors of Residential Schools but also serves as a place for community gathering, ceremonies, and hosting dialogues.” The garden’s design includes a traditional fire pit and amphitheatre-style seating which facilitates storytelling, ceremonies, and creating possibilities for living connections.

Envisioned in 2020, the Garden emerged through collaborative efforts with SFU’s Faculty of Education, the Office of Indigenous Education and Facilities Services. It was enabled through funding from the Aboriginal Strategic Initiative (ASI) and the Office of Aboriginal Peoples through an ASI Grant that Jennie Blankinship and Dr. Vicki Kelly put forward. Its ongoing partnerships with SFU’s Facilities Services, Safety and Risk Services, and community leaders from the Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish, and Musqueam Nations helped enable the space to become what it is today. The Office of Indigenous Education guided this process and played an instrumental role.  

Enhancing the Experience: An Interactive Garden Map

A significant feature of the garden is the upcoming interactive map, set to be launched this fall. This digital tool will allow visitors to explore the Garden in a new way, providing detailed information about the plants, their uses, and their cultural significance. The map will feature both English and Indigenous languages, including hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim.

Jennie explained, "We couldn't develop something like this on our own, so we partnered with the Digital Humanities Innovation Lab (DHIL) and local linguists to bring this project to life." ​The map includes audio recordings that capture each plant's name, along with their correct pronunciations and cultural significance, making it a valuable educational resource. 

By including the Indigenous names in hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim, the project aimed to preserve and share the linguistic and cultural heritage tied to these plants. In addition, the interactive map will also feature one-minute video segments featuring Indigenous Studies professor Elizabeth Ross discussing the plants' culinary, medicinal, and ceremonial applications.

Honouring the Past: The Memorial Bench & Wall 

In addition to the interactive map, the Garden will soon include a memorial bench and wall dedicated to the survivors of residential schools and their families. This addition is part of the Garden's broader mission to serve as a space for healing and remembrance. Jennie explained, "The memorial is where people can come to remember, grieve, and find solace. We've worked closely with the community to ensure this space is meaningful and respectful."

The installation of a residential school map near the Memorial Bench serves as another critical learning tool for visitors. Jennie shared, "The map will provide a visual representation of the impact of residential schools, and we're designing a special border for the map made from cedar planks, which our community will paint through a paint-by-numbers process."

This paint-by-numbers activity, to be announced in the future, will invite participation from SFU faculty, staff, and students, ensuring that the broader community has a hand in contributing to the space. "It's a way to bring everyone together and to have a tangible role in creating the Garden," Jennie added.​

Looking Forward: Future Garden Plans

The Garden is an evolving project with plans to unveil its official name, chosen in collaboration with the Squamish Nation, and gradually expand and elaborate the space with additional plants, smoked glass windows, and educational resources. There are also plans for the addition of the Garden to the Bill Reid Centre’s ímesh mobile app, integrating the interactive map, making it easier for visitors to explore the Garden's features and learn about the plants, artwork, and history tied to the space. Jennie commented, "The partnership with the Bill Reid Centre is a fantastic opportunity to broaden the reach of the Garden's educational resources and make them more accessible."

Beginning in October, the Garden will also host a series of events at the fire pit as part of the Knowledge Holder Series. This series invites Indigenous knowledge holders to share their teachings with the SFU community. Faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in these events, providing opportunities to learn from Indigenous perspectives and contribute to the Garden's upkeep.

Despite challenges such as delays caused by the pandemic, the commitment to the Garden's development remains strong. "We're hoping to finalize everything, including the memorial wall, the interactive map, and the naming of the Garden, soon," Jennie added​. Faculty and staff are encouraged to visit the Garden, participate in its events, and engage with this special space.