A Place of Comfort, Reflection, and Healing

Celebrating the Indigenous Community and Healing Garden at Ajax Pickering Hospital

 On May 26, Lakeridge Health leaders, members of the Ajax Pickering Hospital Foundation, local government partners, and members of the community celebrated the official opening of the Indigenous Community and Healing Garden at Ajax Pickering Hospital.

“Healing forests and gardens connect people to a greater community,” explained Sarah Lewis, a spoken word poet from Curve Lake First Nation who was part of the event. “They connect Indigenous people back to our roots and our culture. They even connect Indigenous people with settlers. Gardens have healing properties, and bring people together, so this is a multifaceted healing environment.”

The event began with a traditional Indigenous Smudge Ceremony, song, and drumming and included remarks from Ajax Mayor Shaun Collier, Ajax MP Mark Holland, and Ajax MPP Patrice Barnes, Lakeridge Health President and CEO Cynthia Davis, and Ajax Pickering Hospital Foundation CEO Tracy Paterson.

As well, Ji’Niya Newell and Cherish Kelly, two youth of Jamaican and Ojibway descent, performed a traditional Ojibway Fancy Shawl dance.

“It’s great because people are learning about our culture,” explained Ji’Niya Newell. “They’re open minded and willing to accept our truth when we speak it.”

“A lot of Indigenous people have lost their knowledge and their culture,” said Cherish Kelly “This is how we gain it back.”

Healing Gardens and Forests exist across Canada. However, Lakeridge Health is home to Canada’s only Healing Garden located on the grounds of a hospital system, bringing special meaning to the healing aspect of the green space.

The co-founders of the Canadian National Healing Forest initiative, Peter Croal and Patricia Stirbys travelled from Ottawa for the event to celebrate this growing legacy of truth and reconciliation, noting work like the kind Lakeridge Health has done has real impact for Indigenous people.

“We cannot talk about reconciliation inside buildings that were designed and built by the colonial powers that created the residential school system in the first place,” explained Peter. “It’s much more respectful to First Nations culture to be outside, under the sun with your feet on the ground.”

“An Indigenous Healing Forest, what could be better than that?” wondered Kathy McKay, a resident of the community since 1977. “There are so many spots you can sit and reflect. For those visiting the hospital, this is a good place to come and be with nature for a little while.”

The Indigenous Community and Healing Garden is located on the west side of Ajax Pickering Hospital. More information is available on the Ajax Pickering Hospital Foundation website.

Please help keep the Healing Forest vibrant, welcoming, and thriving by keeping the area clear of litter. If you are interested in volunteering to water the garden, please email aphfoundation@lh.ca.