‘Digging up’ Information on Windsor’s Aboriginal Roots

May 26th, 2010, 11:03 pm

In an attempt at uprooting almost forgotten knowledge on Windsor’s Aboriginal heritage, the Demonstration Wildflower Garden Group is researching the symbolism and medicinal purposes of the local plants used at one time by the Ojibway Tribe.  The First Nations are the ideal versions of green living as they recognized and used every part of a plant without waste.  By incorporating these traditional practices and plants into a modern wildflower garden it is the hope of the group that it will connect Windsor on a deeper level with its original roots while inspiring green living through the creation of wildflower gardens.  Trips to Ojibway Park Nature Centre (top image) revealed a collection of wildflower seeds for sale which are native to the land along with information regarding proper conditions for the growing of each plant.  As well, the University’s own Turtle Island yielded a vast library of Aboriginal knowledge (bottom two images).

 

Wild about Wildflowers!

May 18th, 2010, 11:07 pm

Image above: mindmap for Demonstration Wildflower Garden Group

It was during the first week of the Green Corridor class that the Demonstration Wildflower Garden group consisting of students excited about gardening was formed.  Through the combined efforts of everyone involved, a mindmap was created which allowed us to track our thoughts and reach a final decision about the main idea of the project and how it would be accomplished.  The intention is to have wildflower gardens planted in areas of urban decay to symbolically heal them using the local Aboriginal knowledge on medicinal plants while at the same time teaching others in the community about the ease of creating their own wildflower gardens.  The location of the first garden will be at the University of Windsor’s Ecohouse on California Avenue.