North Central garden grows medicinal plants and community connection

CTV News

2 days ago

Mandi Elles, a guest speaker and educator, shared her knowledge about the medicinal uses of plants at the most recent Garden Work Bees program. Brittany Poitras / CTV News)
A bi-weekly event hosted by the North Central Community Association is bringing gardeners and Regina residents together to grow more than just plants.
At Wednesday's 'work bee' at the mâmawêyatitân centre, Mandi Elles, a guest speaker and educator, shared her knowledge about the medicinal uses of plants, with a deep focus on sage.
'Sage is a beautiful, medicine, very special one. To use, smudging. It can be used for medicinal things like gargling and healing sores,' Elles said. 'Sage is great tea and just a great healer.'
Elles emphasized the importance of traditional harvesting protocols and respect for the plants.
'The first thing that we always start with was acknowledging the plants. We, we say thank you to them. We can talk to them. They are old relatives. They hold that wisdom,' she explained. 'Have gentle hands, gentle words'.
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North Central Community Gardens
The North Central Community Centre is bringing gardeners and Regina residents together by hosting a bi-weekly program. (Brittany Poitras / CTV News)
North Central Community Gardens
The North Central Community Centre is bringing gardeners and Regina residents together by hosting a bi-weekly program. (Brittany Poitras / CTV News)
North Central Community Gardens
The North Central Community Centre is bringing gardeners and Regina residents together by hosting a bi-weekly program. (Brittany Poitras / CTV News)
North Central Community Gardens
The North Central Community Centre is bringing gardeners and Regina residents together by hosting a bi-weekly program. (Brittany Poitras / CTV News)
North Central Community Gardens
The North Central Community Centre is bringing gardeners and Regina residents together by hosting a bi-weekly program. (Brittany Poitras / CTV News)
North Central Community Gardens
The North Central Community Centre is bringing gardeners and Regina residents together by hosting a bi-weekly program. (Brittany Poitras / CTV News)
North Central Community Gardens
The North Central Community Centre is bringing gardeners and Regina residents together by hosting a bi-weekly program. (Brittany Poitras / CTV News)
North Central Community Gardens
Mandi Elles, a guest speaker and educator, shared her knowledge about the medicinal uses of plants at the most recent Garden Work Bees program. Brittany Poitras / CTV News)
For Elles, sage holds particular cultural and personal significance.
'Sage is such a special plant… you can use it as a rinse for your mouth, for your hair, your skin,' she said. 'Women can use it on their moon time. That's a very special plant for us to help us cleanse and bring that focus.'
Meanwhile, Maegan Krajewski, Community Garden Coordinator, highlighted how these gardens serve the broader community.
'Our motto is, 'Help yourself,'' Krajewski said. 'With all of our gardens, the goal is really for anyone, no questions asked, to be able to have access to fresh vegetables and fresh fruit.'
The gardens also feature a 'three sisters' planting of corn, beans, and squash — a traditional Indigenous method that reflects the interconnectedness of both plants and people.
'They really work together with one another and support each other, much like siblings do,' Krajewski said.
As the evening came to a close, Elles offered a reflection.
'We're all coming together as a community, just like the plants,' she said. They're a nation within themselves, and we're sharing the space with them. And it's good medicine.'
The Garden Work Bees Program continues every Wednesday at the mâmawêyatitân centre from 4:30 p.m. to -7 p.m. for the rest of harvest season, bringing the community's connection to the land throughout the summer season.