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First Running Free Wildflower Memorial Garden

On Monday, June 28th a team of colleagues from the Building More Bridges initiative, including Indigenous folks and non-Indigenous allies, gathered with ceremony (connected in spirit and via Zoom) and a traditional land opening was led by Elder Valerie Nicholson. The children who we lost to residential schools, were honoured collectively by planting wildflowers in a cedar flowerbox in Dr. Denise Jaworsky’s garden on the traditional lands of the Ts'msyen (Tsimshian) of the Kitsumkalum and Kitselas First Nations. As the team witnessed the planting of the seeds and their first watering, a beautiful rainbow appeared and was visible to all team members joining virtually, a sign that the work was being done in a “Good Way.”

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Who are we & what are we doing?
We are a group of coworkers living on the traditional, unceded, stolen lands of the Coast Salish people. Most of us identify as settlers and guests on these lands; we are also honoured to be guided by team members who are of Indigenous Ancestry. We are among the many people across Turtle Island and around the world, who were devastated by the news of the discovery of the remains of 215 Indigenous children at the site of a residential school on the lands of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation.

The truth that many Indigenous children who were forced to attend residential schools never made it home has been known publicly from the accounts of survivors and their families. The news of this discovery made that truth present and painful.

Like most people, we felt sorrow, anguish, and outrage, and we searched for something meaningful to do to express our grief. We are blessed to work alongside Elder Valerie Nicholson, who is Mi'kmaq, Haida and Roma in descent, as well as Claudette Cardinal, a Wise woman who is Cree in descent. Both Elder Valerie and Wise woman Claudette were immersed in Ceremony following the discovery of the initial grave sites. They both still graciously offered guidance and wisdom during this difficult time, and shared ideas for what our group can do to stand in solidarity with our Indigenous communities and survivors of these institutions. Elder Valerie's vision, in short, is to plant 215 wildflower gardens in memory of the children whose lives were taken on the lands of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation.
New shoots
In this section we showcase the latest gardens, but you can find records of all existing gardens in the "Gardens" section.
When will the next gardens be planted?
Planting conditions to ensure our gardens survive and thrive will be ideal in the Fall and Spring, so our team will be pulling on our gardening gloves next Spring.
Project Update:
We set out with a vision of 215 wildflower gardens to honour the young lives taken on the lands of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation. Our team began reaching out to various community gardens to seek out space to plant wildflowers to memorialize the children.

Sadly, in the time that has lapsed since our group came together to take action, several more grave sites were discovered. We have mourned 104 losses discovered by the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation (at the former Brandon Indian Residential School); 751 losses discovered on the lands of the Cowessess First Nation (at the former site of the Marital Indian Residential School); 182 losses discovered by the St. Mary’s First Nation, a member of the Ktunaxa Nation (at the site near the former St. Eugene’s Mission Residential School); and 160 losses discovered by the Penelakut First Nation (at the site of the former Super Island Indian Industrial School).

Many First Nations are undergoing searches on the grounds of former residential schools including:
Ahousaht Indian Residential School
Muscowequan Indian Residential School
St. Joseph’s Residential School
Shubenacadie Indian Residential School.
As we brace ourselves for the many more such discoveries in the months to come, we know that the number of allies who wish to contribute will also grow. We sincerely hope that Elder Valerie’s vision for the 215 wildflower gardens for the children flourishes, and the seeds of her vision find their way all across Turtle Island and beyond.
Running Free Wildflower Memorial Gardens
Find gardens that have been planted here, along with those that are upcoming.

If you'd like us to add a section honouring your Running Free Wildflower Memorial Garden, get in touch with your story and images. Find out more about how to create your own garden, or how you can get involved in existing gardens in the What Can I Do? section.
Copley Community Orchard: Every Child Matters Garden
September 25, 2022
The First Running Free Wildflower Garden
June 28, 2021 · garden,first,building more bridge
Message from Abigail Echo-Hawk
June 22, 2021

Running free: Wildflowers growing freely for the children who never had the chance

First Running Free Wildflower Memorial Garden

Who are we & what are we doing?

New shoots

Planting conditions to ensure our gardens survive and thrive will be ideal in the Fall and Spring, so our team will be pulling on our gardening gloves next Spring.

Project Update:

We set out with a vision of 215 wildflower gardens to honour the young lives taken on the lands of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation. Our team began reaching out to various community gardens to seek out space to plant wildflowers to memorialize the children.

Running Free Wildflower Memorial Gardens