Official Opening Of The Noojimokamig Garden

RELEASE DATE:
September 7, 2022

Noojimokamig Garden opened at County Administration Building

On Aug. 31 during Renfrew County Council, the ribbon was cut to mark the official opening of the Noojimokamig Garden – A Place to Heal at the County Administration Building. Taking part in the ceremony (from left) were outgoing Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk Paul Moreau; Aimee Bailey of Circle of Turtle Lodge, who consulted on the project; Renfrew County Warden Debbie Robinson; James Kushny, manager, Department of Natural Resources for the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation and Craig Kelly, former Director of Development and Property and new County CAO/clerk.

In an effort towards Truth and Reconciliation and forging a lasting relationship with the Algonquin People, the County of Renfrew has created a Reconciliation Garden Project at the County Administration Building in Pembroke.

The garden, named Noojimokamig [new-JIH-mah GAH-mig], which translates to “A Place to Heal”, was officially opened on Aug. 31 as part of a Renfrew County Council meeting. Warden Debbie Robinson read a proclamation, which declared the garden open to all.

“We continue to be deeply and profoundly impacted by the discovery of 215 Indigenous children in unmarked graves on the grounds of a Kamloops Residential School as well as subsequent discoveries,” the Warden said during her opening remarks. “We must, as elected municipal politicians sworn to represent, to the best of our abilities, the needs of all our residents, do more than voice our condolences, our thoughts and our prayers.”

Since 2019, the County of Renfrew and Algonquins of Pikwakanagan have had a memorandum of understanding which centres mostly around economic development opportunities and opens the door for collaborations between the two organizations. But before headway can be made in this regard, the County must first acknowledge its duty in relation to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action.

“As an upper tier government, we should lead by example and I see this garden as the first step. It will be a beacon of hope and healing, open to all people. It can grow as any garden does. We can start small and build on it as we build on our relationship with our Indigenous brothers and sisters,” Warden Robinson added.

Renfrew County Warden Debbie Robinson reads the proclamation to mark the official opening of the Noojimokamig Garden at the County Administration Building on Aug. 31 as members of Renfrew County Council and County staff look on. 

Aimee Bailey, from the Circle of Turtle Lodge and a member of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan, led the ceremony with a traditional smudging. She also provided an interpretation of the garden, including the significance of the seven Grandfather/Grandmother stones which depict the teachings of truth, humility, honesty, wisdom, respect, bravery and love.

This garden project was initiated by County Council following the discovery of remains of Indigenous children in unmarked graves at residential school sites. It is to be seen as a way to honour and recognize the individual and collective rights and fundamental freedoms of all people to live in a state of dignity and respect as we acknowledge that the business of the County of Renfrew takes place on the unceded territory of the Algonquin People.

Ms. Bailey noted creating Noojimokamig came with challenges due to extreme weather, a late planning start for gardeners and pandemic shortages, but she is pleased to finally see the garden project completed.

“As a citizen of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, which encompasses the whole of our unceded, unsurrendered territory including all of Renfrew County, I hope that this garden will become a destination for each of you to learn something about our worldview, our Spiritual Ways, and our connection to the land,” she said.

She added it is unfortunate that it took discovering thousands of unmarked graves of the Indigenous children who died in Canada's Residential Schools for the broader community to realize the harm that has been done to Indigenous people.

“This awakening has finally moved us past the denial that has plagued us for so long. Our ancient prophecy told us that we must teach you about our ways of living in harmony with Mother Earth, and it is good to know that now you are ready to hear us,” Ms. Bailey said.

At the Aug. 31 Renfrew County Council meeting, an orange flag was raised outside the County Administration Building to symbolize the spirit of reconciliation during the official opening of the Noojimokamig Garden. On hand for the flag raising (from left) were Renfrew County Warden Debbie Robinson; James Kushny, manager, Department of Natural Resources for the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation and Aimee Bailey, representing the Circle of Turtle Lodge, who consulted on the garden project.

Although Chief Wendy Jocko of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan was unable to attend the official opening, she did visit the garden the next day with Warden Robinson.

“The Reconciliation Garden Project located at the County of Renfrew Administration Building is beautiful and honours children lost to Residential School, survivors, and families and supports the legacy of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The Reconciliation Garden represents a commitment to create a caring world together where every child matters,” Chief Jocko said.

Craig Kelley, the County’s new Chief Administrative Officer, oversaw the project in his previous role as Director of Development and Property.

“The Noojimokamig Garden is a crucial step forward for us as we acknowledge the role that we play as addressed in the Truth and Reconciliation Report’s calls to action,” Mr. Kelley said. “Working with the contractor, William Sons Ltd., and our First Nations partners, in a collaborative fashion was a very positive learning experience for which we are all very grateful, as they understood our objective right from the beginning.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Craig Kelley             Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk                    613-735-7288
Tina Peplinskie        Media Relations Coordinator                            613-735-7288        

The day after the official opening of the Noojimokamig Garden at the County Administration Building, Chief Wendy Jocko (left) of the Algonquins of PIkwakanagan First Nation had a chance to visit the garden and speak with Warden Debbie Robinson about the project.