Blackfoot medicine garden’s harvest celebrated by Lethbridge police

The harvest of sustainably grown medicine was celebrated by police in Lethbridge on Monday. (Courtesy: Lethbridge Police Service)

The harvest of sustainably grown medicine was celebrated by police in Lethbridge on Monday.

The Lethbridge Police Service’s Blackfoot medicine garden is a series of rooftop garden boxes installed this past spring.

The boxes have been used to grow sweetgrass, mint, sage and tobacco.

LPS employees have been responsible for the plants’ growth.

According to the LPS, the idea for the Blackfoot medicine garden was pitched by now-retired Const. Les Vonkeman.

Trissly Blackwater with the community engagement unit and Catherine Pooley with the victim/witness services unit have since pushed it forward.

Elder Cathy Hunt and Lindsie Bruns from The Confluence in Calgary have also been involved, guiding and assisting.

“We made a commitment to walk the path of learning and understanding before sharing this initiative with the community,” said Pooley.

“True reconciliation begins with action—by doing the work, not just planning it.

“Through our hands in the soil and our hearts in the learning, we’re working to build trust that is grounded in respect, reciprocity and a commitment to reconciliation.”

The boxes are the work of Glen Elgersma, a local artisan.

They’re inscribed with Blackfoot values:

• Kimmapiiyipitssini (kindness to others);
• Mokakssini (wisdom);
• Niitsitapiiyssini (to be Blackfoot); and
• Aahsapsinni (generosity).

Elder Morris Little Wolf and his wife, Elder Betty Ann Little Wolf, were present for Monday’s harvest.

“The harvested medicines will be dried and stored in the LPS multi-faith room until they are needed,” the LPS said in a release issued on Monday.

“Next spring, new medicines will be planted, continuing the cycle of growth and renewal.”