A tobacco plant finds a new home in the community garden located behind the Dunmore Road AHS clinic. (CHAT News photo)

By Alex McCuaig

First Nations Medicine

Community garden plants First Nations medicine

Jun 12, 2020 | 4:10 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – A new initiative launched in the lead-up to National Indigenous Peoples Day will see traditional First Nations medicine grown in a community garden.

The initiative launched on Friday will see tobacco, sage, cedar and bearberry grown in the community garden behind the AHS Dunmore Road clinic with the support of the provincial health agency, the Community Food Connection Association (CFCA) and the Miywasin Friendship Centre.

Marlene Cadotte, Miywasin counsellor, says collectively the new additions to the Food Forest portion of the community garden will allow for local gathering of materials for First Nations ceremonies such as smudges.

“First Nations peoples have always used these medicines – right from day one,” she said. “For these four medicines or sacred plants, hopefully they will be around for a while.”

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Adopt-A-Rink program still seeking volunteers

16h ago

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner

Dec 06, 2024

IN THE COMMUNITY

CHAT News producer makes 'emotional' return to Medicine Hat's old arena

Dec 06, 2024

Cadotte stressed the difference in commercially produced tobacco and that traditionally used for ceremony, stating unprocessed raw tobacco is fundamentally different.