Kelowna posted Jun 28, 2017 @ 10:00am by Josh Duncan

Westbank First Nation help open new Indigenous garden at Okanagan College

More than a hundred people were on hand to celebrate to opening of the new Indigenous garden at Okanagan College on Tuesday.

This project was launched in partnership with the Westbank Fire Nation, the City of Kelowna and other community partners.

<who>Photo Credit: Contributed</who>Heather Schneider, Grouse Barnes, Connie Denesiuk, Chris Derickson, Anthony Isaac and Jim Hamilton (L to R) are joined by children from nearby Little Scholars daycare in cutting the ribbon to officially open the na’ʔk’ʷulamən garden.

The new green space is now open to the public and boasts nearly 50 varieties of plants that are of cultural and historical significance to the Indigenous people of this region.

“This garden is a living, breathing example of the value Okanagan College places on Indigenous knowledge and culture,” said Okanagan College President Jim Hamilton. “Thank you to everyone who helped us grow this unique space on our campus for everyone to enjoy.”

<who>Photo Credit: Contributed</who>Children from Little Scholars daycare joined by Jim Hamilton, Grouse Barnes and Chris Derickson in planting the final six plants in the garden

Tuesday’s ceremony began with a blessing by Westbank First Nation Edler, Grouse Barnes, and also featured a speech from Westbank First Nation Coun. Chris Derickson.

It concluded with a ribbon cutting that included Westbank First Nations, college officials and youth from Little Scholars Daycare.

If you get value from KelownaNow and believe local independent media is important to our community we ask that you please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter.