The County of Renfrew has opened a Reconciliation Garden outside of the administration building in Pembroke.
The Reconciliation Garden will be known as Noojimokamig (“A Place to Heal”).
The garden depicts the teachings of truth, humility, honesty, wisdom, respect, courage and love.
The gardens also feature traditional plants, herbs, and medicines, including a cedar tree in the centre of the garden, and benches in the shape of a traditional healing wheel.
Representatives in the community gathered outside of the new garden on Wednesday, August 31st, 2022 for a grand opening and smudging ceremony by Aimee Bailey of Circle of Turtle Lodge.
Noojimokamig is meant to be a place of healing, where people could learn together, participate in traditional ceremonies and reflect.
Warden Debbie Robinson, who initiated this project in 2021, previously told myFM the garden will not heal anything, but will make a public statement as the County of Renfrew continues to build their relationship and takes further steps towards Truth and Reconciliation with the Algonquin People.
(written by: Rudy Kadlec)
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Renfrew County hopes to complete Reconciliation Garden by September of 2022
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