File photo of Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge. The CRH Foundation is a partner on a new healing garden project from Alberta Health Services. (File photo: LNN)

By Justin Goulet

Alberta Health Services launches Indigenous healing garden project in South Zone

Jun 22, 2023 | 11:34 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Alberta Health Services (AHS) is creating what they are referring to as ‘healing garden’ spaces across the South Health Zone.

The initiative is being undertaken as part of National Indigenous Peoples Month in June, as well as National Indigenous Peoples Day, which was celebrated on June 21, 2023.

The project starts with the planting of four sacred traditional plants.

Thanks to support from partners, including the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation in Lethbridge, facilities have been given kits that include ready-to-plant sage, sweetgrass, saskatoon bushes and wild mint. The kits also come with information on how to plant and care for the plants. If needed, facility staff can receive support in building the planter boxes for their gardens.

Facility staff, with assistance from Volunteer Resources and other partners, will work to establish their welcoming healing gardens focused on Indigenous health and healing.

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

The garden space they make will be unique to each site. However, plants will be usable for many years for ceremonies and education, while the garden space provides a peaceful area for staff, patients, and visitors to go for a source of spiritual renewal.

This latest project from AHS is designed to honour Blackfoot culture and narrow the gaps in health outcomes for Indigenous patients.

William Singer (Api’soomaahka, or Running Coyote), Blackfoot creator of Naapi’s Garden and Katoyiss Seed Bank projects, said that sweetgrass is used in smudge, as an energy food and to treat cough, colds, and fevers. He noted mint can be made into tea for comfort, or to treat a sore throat and upset stomach, while silver-green leaves of sage can be chewed to help with a sore throat. Singer added that Saskatoons – referred to as the ‘real berry’ by the Blackfoot people – are used as food and medicine, but also for tools, arrow shafts and pipe stems.

More on how AHS is honouring National Indigenous Peoples Month is available at the agency’s website.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

—

If you have a news tip, question or concern, please email Lethbridge.newsroom@Pattisonmedia.com.

For local news delivered daily to your email inbox, subscribe for free to the Lethbridge News Now newsletter here. You can also download the Lethbridge News Now mobile app in the Google Play and the Apple App Stores.