A garden rooted in relationships, learning, and the land

A new Indigenous garden is taking shape at Durham College’s (DC) Whitby Campus. More than a space to grow plants, it offers an opportunity to learn from the land, build relationships, and explore Indigenous approaches to sustainability.

The garden is part of the campus’ food forest — a growing approach rooted in Indigenous agricultural practices that bring together a variety of edible plants in layers that reflect the structure of a natural forest — and contributes to DC’s commitment to expand Indigenous-led initiatives, creating space for Indigenous knowledge, teachings, and perspectives.

Developed in partnership with The Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture (Barrett Centre), which supports hands-on learning and exploration in sustainable food production and agriculture, the project began with an Indigenous ground blessing in May.

“The Barrett Centre is a place where we can explore new approaches to growing food and caring for the land, and the Indigenous garden adds an important dimension to that work,” said Carey Yeoman, Strategic Initiatives Manager, Barrett Centre. “The ground blessing marked the beginning of our Indigenous Agroecology installation, which will encourage a broader way of thinking about food production and what a farm can offer as a learning environment. It demonstrates that there are many ways to work with the land and produce food while caring for the health of the soil.”

Growing knowledge through connection

At the heart of the garden are teachings about relationships and reciprocity.

Sweetgrass, known as the hair of Mother Earth, is among the medicines growing. Also used in braiding practices, sweetgrass represents the strength that comes from bringing individual strands together. On their own, the strands are not as strong; woven together, they become stronger. The teaching reflects the importance of relationships and community and connects with DC’s Braiding Learning Framework.

In keeping with Indigenous teachings, tobacco, known as the first medicine, is another important component in the garden. Tobacco is offered back to the Earth when plants or medicines are harvested as a gesture of gratitude, reinforcing the idea of living with the land rather than simply using it.

Learning across disciplines

Developed as a cross-collaborative project, the garden draws on the Anishinaabe’s Seven Grandfather Teachings, which encourage us to honour the knowledge shared by those who came before, learn from experience, and remain open to the experiences and teachings of others.

It is also creating opportunities for students across DC to bring their skills and perspectives together through hands-on learning.

Horticulture Technician and Horticulture – Food and Farming students put their knowledge into practice through planting and harvesting. Carpentry and Renovation students built the raised planters and benches, while Graphic Design students are contributing signage, illustrations, and interactive QR code elements that will help visitors learn more about the space. In the kitchen, Culinary Management students are exploring innovative ways to work with and harvest the crops.

“The garden is a space where community and learning come together, and where students can see how different areas of knowledge connect,” said Jennifer Fournier, Teaching and Learning Consultant – Indigenous Pedagogies, DC. “Bringing Indigenous teachings, agriculture, design, skilled trades, and culinary learning into one shared space creates meaningful opportunities to learn from one another and understand the value of working together.”

A naming ceremony will take place in the future to formally announce the garden’s Anishinaabe name, marking another step in its story and the relationships that continue to grow from it.