Traditional medicine garden planted near Living Prairie Museum Nature Park

June 10, 2022

As part of our commitment of reconciliation, a medicine garden has been planted near the Living Prairie Museum featuring sage and sweetgrass, two of the four Sacred Medicines which naturally occur in the tall grass prairie.

Sacred Medicines have physical qualities for medicinal purposes, and a spiritual aspect used in healing and ceremonies. They also include tobacco and cedar.

“Medicines can be safely harvested from the garden while the naturally occurring plants are left to continue their role in the prairie ecosystem,” said Sarah Semmler, Curator of the Living Prairie Museum.

The garden is now in its second growing season, and the sweetgrass and sage have returned beautifully despite our long winter.

The museum is located in Treaty No. 1 territory and the traditional homeland of the Métis Nation. This project supports Truth and Reconciliation Commission Call to Action #43 — United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP); it seeks to create cultural awareness of traditional medicines used and held sacred by Indigenous peoples.

The medicine garden is located in the nature park west of the preserve at the north end of Prairie View Road at Ness Avenue. It can be harvested by the public during the summer, but care and attention are needed to maintain the garden. Only harvest what is needed, taking only the leaves and leaving roots and seeds to allow the plants to regenerate between harvests.

It is good practice to consult with an Elder to learn more on the harvest and use of sacred medicines.

“Our Elders teach us that nothing should be taken without something given in return,” said Knowledge Keeper Carol Moar.

The Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (North America) have always maintained a harmonious and reciprocal relationship with the land - they harvested the food, medicine, and materials they needed for trade and daily life.

Residents are reminded to only harvest from this garden, as removing plants from Living Prairie Museum can harm this endangered habitat. Approximately 1% of the original tall grass prairie remains in Canada.

Originally posted on June 18, 2021

Celebrating City Employees Parks, Trees and the Environment

Was this information helpful?

How can we make this web page better?

Information collected will be used to improve our website. Do not use this form to submit a request for service or information because it will not be forwarded to departments for response. To submit a request for service or information, contact 311.

This form is not intended to collect personal information; however, any personal information you choose to include in your comments is collected by the City of Winnipeg under the authority of section 36(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for the purpose of improving our website and will not be used or disclosed for any other purposes, except as authorized by law. Contact the Corporate Access and Privacy Officer by mail (City Clerk’s Department, Susan A. Thompson Building, 510 Main Street, Winnipeg MB, R3B 1B9) or by telephone (311) if you have any questions about the collection of this information.

Ces renseignements sont-ils utiles?

Comment pourrait-on améliorer cette page Web?

Les renseignements recueillis serviront à l’amélioration de notre site Web. Prière de ne pas se servir de ce formulaire pour soumettre une demande de service ou de renseignements, car la demande ne sera pas transmise au service en question. Pour soumettre une demande de service ou de renseignements, veuillez communiquer avec le 311.

Le présent formulaire ne vise pas à recueillir des renseignements personnels. Cependant, les renseignements personnels que vous choisissez d’inclure dans vos commentaires sont recueillis par la Ville de Winnipeg en conformité avec l’alinéa 36(1)b) de la Loi sur l’accès à l’information et la protection de la vie privée dans le but d’améliorer son site Web et ne seront ni utilisés ni divulgués pour d’autres raisons, sauf dans les cas où cela est autorisé par la loi. Communiquez avec l’agent de l’accès à l’information et de la protection de la vie privée de la Ville par courrier au Bureau du greffier, immeuble Susan-A.-Thompson, 510, rue Main, Winnipeg (Manitoba) R3B 1B9, ou par téléphone au 311 si vous avez des questions sur la collecte de ces renseignements.