Ottawa Campus is home to a new "Three Sisters" garden of Corn, Beans and Squash.

Horticultural Industries students planted the ceremonial garden of Corn, Beans and Squash in the courtyard across from Savoir Fare on Friday.

In 2017, Ron (Deganadus) McLester, Vice President, Truth, Reconciliation & Indigenization, told College employees the significance of the Three Sisters story. "There are many stories about the Three Sisters in woodland Indigenous cultures. While the details of these stories differ from nation to nation, there is almost always one shared common thread that weaves them together. Today, we recognize Corn, Beans and Squash who have always worked together in order to sustain our communities. Today, we recognize that these Three Sisters are bound together by three tenets: peace, friendship and respect. Today, we recognize that these three tenets are what make the Sisters special."

The Three Sisters crops were preceded by strawberry plants, which were put in the ground earlier this spring.

"As you know, we are currently on Indigenous Territory," said Jason Vodden, Horticulture program professor, "And for the College, I think planting this garden is a great nod to that, and doing a traditional agriculture program here shows what the College represents, which is taking steps to being more inclusive."

Gregory Phillips, Pathfinder at the Mamidosewin Centre, demonstrated traditional planting techniques for the Horticulture students, outlining the proper method for creating the mounds that the Three Sisters will grown from: The corn placed at the top of the mound on a flat surface, with the beans surrounding the corn, and the squash circling the mound.  

“The strawberries alert the other plants that the 'Big Sleep’ is finished, winter is done, strawberries come out and bear fruit and everything else goes forward,” said Jeff Turner, the Partnership Development Specialist for the DARE District who has been handling logistical aspects of the project.

As for the Three Sisters crops, Turner expects them to grow quickly. The corn stalks, for example, will be mature and ready for harvest in the fall.

The small courtyard is an extension of the large Indigenous garden being planted in the DARE District's Ishkodewan courtyard. That ongoing project will see more than 100 species of flowers, shrubs and trees planted -- from black-eyed Susan and chokecherry to rosy sedge and yellowwood poppy. All of the plants are native to southern Ontario and many of them have cultural, ceremonial, or even medicinal significance for some Indigenous peoples.

Both garden projects reflect Algonquin's ongoing commitment to embedding Indigenous traditions and knowledge in the College culture.