by Megan Bennett, Program Co-ordinator
Starting in October of last year, Green Thumbs Growing Kids launched our newest community program; The School Garden Land Back Training Program. The goal of this program is to train individuals with the knowledge and skills to create and maintain their own school gardens in a decolonial framework. Our wish was to strengthen the school garden network in Toronto, and to create space for knowledge sharing. Over the course of the last 9 months, two cohorts consisting of 20 individuals passionate about creating decolonial outdoor spaces for youth and community members to connect with nature and develop lasting relationships to the environment participated.
Throughout this program, participants had the opportunity to learn from Indigenous Mentors. Chef Johl Whiteduck Ringuette shared his knowledge as an Indigenous Mentor to participants. He is Anishnawbe and Algonquin, his spirit name is Spotted Lynx and he was born in North Bay, Ontario and he is Mink Clan, his grandmother is from Nippissing First Nation. Carolynne Crawley was a key Indigenous Mentor part of the School Garden Land Back Program and is Mi’kmaw, Black and Irish. She is from Mi’kma’ki territory also known today as Nova Scotia. Isaac Crosby also shared knowledge as an Indigenous Mentor. Isaac is part of a large family from the Ojibwas of Anderdon, a pre-confederation band of mixed Black/Indigenous people living near Windsor, ON. Isaac learned to farm and grow food with his grandparents and community, and has also formally trained in landscape agriculture. From the teachings shared from these Indigenous Mentors and knowledge holders, participants were able to learn about Indigenous perspectives and form meaningful connections to the lands they steward. From knowledge surrounding plant relatives and their many uses, to important terminology and what respect to Indigenous people, traditions, and history looks like, participants gained immense knowledge that will take root in their schools’ gardens and community.
One participant reflected on this knowledge and shared that “The knowledge shared by the instructors has enriched my relationship with the garden spaces that I steward, and with all the beings within them. Miigwech!"
Another individual from our first cohort of participants shared their favourite aspect of the School Garden Land Back Program, having “the opportunity to put what we’re learning into practice by volunteering at a school garden session each week. In my experience, the program really fosters community connection.”
Learning about the 3-bin compost system
Participants also gained knowledge on the necessary actions needed for a school garden to thrive. Green Thumbs Growing Kids taught from the knowledge collected from 25 years of being stewards for local school gardens. Participants were able to learn about the important steps and actions for starting, maintaining, and growing their school garden so students can have the best experience.
Nicole Sequiera, a participant from the second cohort has shared her experience being a part of The School Garden Land Back Program, “The SGLB program has truly expanded my awareness of the potential value of school gardens. The program was a great opportunity to practice decolonizing my thoughts and actions in community and has assisted me in deepening my connection to the land and how I relate to other beings. I’ve begun to expand my awareness of our food system, ecology and our partnership with microbes, pollinators, weather systems, what consumption and reciprocity can look like. Other benefits I’ve experienced are the value of experiential learning, learning from the land by being with it/speaking with it etc., co-learning with children & youth. I met and learned from so many wonderful people in the program (each of the participants, the Indigenous mentors and each of the GTGK team members).”
This program could not have been possible without Indigenous Mentors: Isaac Crosby, Carolynne Crawley and Johl Whiteduck Ringuette, who shared immense knowledge and teachings to both participants and the Green Thumbs Growing Kids team. Our connection to the land we work and reside on has been deepened immensely, with our relations to the lands we steward growing more through the knowledge you graciously shared. Miigwech!
Thank you to the participants of the School Garden Land Back Training Program! Your dedication and passion towards school gardens was so refreshing to be surrounded by. Thank you for being actively present and engaged with such enthusiasm for learning, you all have made this program better with your feedback, thoughtful sharing, and knowledge.
Lastly, thank you to our funders! This program was graciously funded by the Community Services Recovery Fund at Canadian Red Cross, in an effort to rebuild community engagement and volunteering after the Covid-19 pandemic.
What an amazing journey this program has been, stay tuned for more information on the future of this program! We have applied for new funding and will announce as soon as we know.
Honorable mentions to all the staff and placement students at Green Thumbs Growing Kids for the support, knowledge and time to help create the best experience possible.
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