A couple of weeks ago, on July 28th, I had the joy and privilege of welcoming a wonderful, lively group of 21 students from the Vancouver Summer Program’s Design-Making course to the Orchard Garden for an afternoon of creativity, reflection, and land-based learning.
As the students trickled in, I greeted and guided them to the grassy area behind our shed where we gathered in a circle. I officially welcomed everyone on behalf of the Orchard Garden team, introduced myself, and gave a brief overview of the garden’s origin and evolution into the vibrant, living classroom it is today for students across all ages and disciplines. I paused to acknowledge the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Musqueam peoples on which the garden exists, encouraging everyone to personally reflect on what it means to be a guest here, and to approach the afternoon with gratitude, curiosity, and care for all living beings.
Our walking tour of the garden wound first through the beds and then the food forest, where I highlighted cultivated, native, and invasive plants, and the sustainable practices–like crop rotation and organic soil amendments–that we use to support them. Afterwards, in the shade of the Garry oak trees, I introduced the 4Rs of First Nations and higher education: Respect, Relevance, Reciprocity, and Responsibility–a framework for learning from and with the land developed by Verna J Kirkness and Ray Barnhardt (2001). I explained how these principles apply in the garden and posed reflection questions. I appreciated the care students took in connecting these to their own lives and communities.
Before gathering any materials, I shared Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Honourable Harvest teachings from Braiding Sweetgrass–taking only what is needed, minimizing harm, and always offering gratitude foremost. I invited the group to consider small ways they will give back to the land, noting their personal ideas, thoughtful dialogue, and other unique sentiments of gratitude throughout the rest of the afternoon.
With these things in mind, artist and educator Alison Maddaugh led the hands-on activities: harvesting fireweed for ink, assembling materials into land-art, and painting in handmade sketchbooks with Oregon grape dye that she had pre-made. Their land-art, inspired by Andy Goldsworthy, shared a similar ethos. The intentionality of their design-work blended seamlessly into the garden, honouring the naturally occurring structures and dynamics of the space to one day be returned to the earth.
We ended the afternoon with the students presenting their creations and reflecting on the process. They spoke confidently about their vision and how it took shape, mentioning a heightened sense of connectedness and awareness for the living systems around them. After tidying together, the students left the garden as they found it–only with a little more art woven into its edges.
Before parting ways, Alison presented me with a carefully chosen token of appreciation on behalf of the VSP team. I expressed my heartfelt thanks, fully aware that the true gift cannot be held in my hands. Perhaps it is the shift in perspective, the knowledge gained, or the love for nature nurtured in the students’ minds–gifts that will continue to grow, long after the workshop. It was an absolute honour and pleasure to have this group at the garden. Big thank you to Susan for connecting Alison and myself, and to Alison for her warmth and skill! This day was a reminder that beyond teaching skills and techniques, workshops nurture relationships–between people and plants, ideas and hands, stories and place, and, most of all, between each other.
References in case you want to learn more about the 4Rs & get yourself a copy of Braiding Sweetgrass:
https://www.uaf.edu/ankn/publications/collective-works-of-ray-b/Four-Rs-2nd-Ed.pdf
https://www.robinwallkimmerer.com/books
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