A local group has received the Grand Prize from the David Suzuki Foundation.
The Foundation launched the Future Ground Prize this year, an awards program designed to celebrate Ontarians leading community-level projects helping create a better Ontario by pursuing environmental and social goals.
Grandmothers Voice received the Grand Prize on behalf of the project ‘Indigenous Seeds of Hope – Planting our Future’. Renee Thomas-Hill says their goal is to build a beautiful garden designed to heal.
Looking at Grandmothers Voice’s website, the group says “Grandmothers are the original Earth Walkers who guide, direct, model, and protect culture for the coming faces. Grandmothers have preserved the core principles of peace, power and righteousness,” adding “Resurgence in Indigenous Ways of Knowing is our pathway to healing as a community and nation. Reclaiming, restoring culture, land, language, holistic health and well-being is the pathway to self-determination.”
Jody Harbour tells myFM that the garden has been a collaborative effort within the community between Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents. She adds that her whole family has been involved in the journey of planting the seeds of hope.
Wednesday, June 30th was ‘A Day to Listen’ on our station and hundreds of radio stations across Canada. It was a time to amplify Indigenous voices within all of our communities to ensure that their stories were told.
READ MORE: Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation Chief speaks with FM 101 Milton
A big aspect of the broadcast event was covering reconciliation, and making sure that our Indigenous communities can move forward knowing that the rest of Canada will work towards building a brighter future.
Thomas-Hill wants comfort to be found by those who attend the garden.
She adds that recognition is a powerful step towards reconciliation.
The healing garden can be found at Country Heritage Park.
You can learn more about Grandmothers Voice by visiting their website. You can donate and support the cause of putting together the living monument, garden and more.
