Photo Courtesy EverythingGP Staff

By Tanner Smith

Community

Grande Prairie Friendship Centre unveils Traditional Healing Garden

Jun 22, 2022 | 6:00 AM

The Grande Prairie Friendship Centre has opened its new Traditional Healing Garden.

Friendship Centre Executive Director Miranda Laroche says she is thankful for all the support the Friendship Centre received, especially from the City of Grande Prairie

“The city has been amazing allies to the Indigenous people for many years. A few years ago they opened up smudging in city buildings.”

Laroche said what started as getting their building and area more “aesthetically nice” has taken on a life of its own, having so many different moving parts with a sustainable food plan and using it in traditional ceremonies. But after construction began it then quickly grew into a place to heal after the discovery of Kamloops 215.

Laroche said this garden is amazing for our community but also creates a small path forward in our community towards reconciliation and healing. It also gives “Urban Indigenous” peoples the ability to do traditional ceremonies without having to drive an hour outside city limits.

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The Grande Prairie Friendship Centre will also use this garden on their path to be self-sustainable, with vegetables, fruits, berries and three sisters (squash, beans and corn) all being grown right beside their building.

The Friendship Centre is still looking for volunteers to come to help them plant, weed and water.

Photo Courtesy EverythingGP Staff

Photo Courtesy EverythingGP Staff