Students at Suncrest College's Fort Qu'Appelle campus are ready to watch their work towards reconciliation grow, in more ways than one, with a new project at the local museum.
On October 11, Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) students took part in building a medicinal garden, named the "Healing Garden" at the Fort Qu'Appelle Heritage Museum. Work included building the fence and the planting fence, with help from a Town of Fort Qu'Appelle employee.
"This initiative has provided the opportunity to initiate, create, partner and evolve with other community stakeholders," said Suncrest College Counsellor, Gail Starr-Bellegarde, who was instrumental in the project. "The efforts of students in laying the blocks was beneficial to both the museum and Suncrest College students."
"The Fort Qu'Appelle & District Museum Board along with their volunteers collaborated with Suncrest College, The Town of Fort Qu'Appelle, and First Nations' Elders to plant The Healing Garden," said Fort Qu'Appelle Mayor Gus Lagace, "The planting of medicinal plants will begin the healing process between First Nations and non-First Nations, as part of Truth and Reconciliation, have been planted in a garden on the Fort Qu'Appelle Museum property."
The Healing Garden is a project in honour of Treaty Four's 150th anniversary, which will be celebrated in September 2024.
About Suncrest College:
Suncrest College was established in 2023 as a result of merging Cumberland College and Parkland College. The college offers a superior learning experience with locations in Canora, Esterhazy, Fort Qu'Appelle, Kamsack, Melfort, Melville, Nipawin, Tisdale, and Yorkton. Students can choose from a wide array of educational options, including university degrees, skills training diplomas and certificates, trades training, high school upgrading, employability programs, safety training, corporate/professional development, along with taking part in various applied research projects led by the College.
