'We are still people of the land': Oneida unveils Indigenous gardens for Earth Week
It was a special day at the Oneida Nation of the Thames.
On Tuesday, Chief Todd Cornelius was joined by council and volunteers to officially unveil the new Indigenous Community Gardens. The event was the highlight of a series of activities in the community to mark Earth Week.
“Earth Week is important because it reminds us to take care of our environment. We want to pass on a healthy planet to our children and our grandchildren,” said Cornelius to the group assembled at Turtle Garden, one of the three new Indigenous gardens.
In addition to the turtle, a garden in the shape of a bear claw and a garden resembling a wolf’s eyes were unveiled.
They represent the Bear, Wolf and Turtle clans, which are part of the community’s culture, according to Cornelius.
“We’re standing on Turtle Garden, which was newly built for our people, in regards to we are still Haudenosaunee. We are still people of the land, we’re still connected to the land,” he said.
Earth Week activities included more than 100 volunteers who spread throughout the community working on cleanup and beautification projects.
The bear claw, the turtle and wolf’s eyes Indigenous gardens are seen at Oneida Nation of the Thames on April 24, 2024. (Bryan Bicknell/CTV News London)
“We have been going to community members’ homes to help with their cleanup,” said Jenelle Cornelius, environmental consultation coordinator. “Eighty per cent of the list were the elders in our community and we just wanted to help them out.”
Also taking part in the community stewardship initiative were local school children, along with children from the London District Catholic School Board.
Imagine Build, a fundraising organization that builds homes for families, was also involved, while TLC Landscaping helped design the gardens.
Brett Phillips, a client care manager with TLC, said he felt “immense gratitude” to be able to take part.
“It’s great as a landscape designer in seeing a plan and project come to fruition, and then hopefully being able to see it in the years to come as it matures, and seeing everyone in the community come together,” said Phillips.
The bear claw, the turtle and wolf’s eyes Indigenous gardens are seen at Oneida Nation of the Thames on April 24, 2024. (Bryan Bicknell/CTV News London)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Hulk Hogan, hurricanes and a blockbuster recording: A week in review of the Trump hush money trial
Crucial witnesses took the stand in the second week of testimony in Donald Trump's hush money trial, including a California lawyer who negotiated deals at the center of the case and a longtime adviser to the former president.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Drone footage shows Ukrainian village battered to ruins as residents flee Russian advance
The Ukrainian village of Ocheretyne has been battered by fighting, drone footage obtained by The Associated Press shows. The village has been a target for Russian forces in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Parliamentary report on Emergencies Act decision is 18 months past due — and counting
The erstwhile group of senators and MPs studying the federal government's invocation of the Emergencies Act over the "Freedom Convoy" was supposed to present its findings in December. December of 2022, that is.