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NATIVES SHARE THEIR
VISION OF NATURE
The First Nations Garden, opened since August 3, 2001, presents the close bonds Amerindians and the
Inuit have always had with the plant world. It is designed to
evoke a natural environment, and is the first infrastructure
of its size anywhere in Montréal dedicated to the First
Nations of Québec. The new 2.5 hectare garden is the culmination
of three years' work and the realization of one of Brother Marie-Victorin's
dreams.
The planned site for the First Nations Garden was already planted with a highly diverse stand
of trees. Today, it boasts more than 300 different plant species-some
5,000 trees, shrubs and grasses were planted. The First Nations
Garden is set in the very heart of the Montréal Botanical
Garden, between the Chinese and Japanese Gardens, the Pond Garden,
the Flowery Brook and the Alpine Garden.
The First Nations Garden serves as a crossroads of cultures, a place for sharing knowledge,
allowing non-Native Quebeckers to discover or rediscover the
culture of the first inhabitants of North America, while offering
an opportunity for the First Nations to share their traditions,
wisdom and know-how. The Botanical Garden and a committee of
First Nations representatives specially formed for this project
worked closely to come up with a set of guidelines and criteria
to be integrated into the project concept and design.
Florent Vollant, an Innu singer-songwriter,
readily agreed to act as spokesman for the First Nations Garden,
"in a spirit of sharing and respect for differences, and
to break down the barriers of ignorance and intolerance between
Native and non-Native peoples."
The First Nations Garden avoids stereotypes; it is a contemporary garden,
one inspired by Amerindian and Inuit cultures. It highlights
not only Native knowledge of plants, but also First Nations activities
relating to the plant world, from gathering food and medicinal
plants to using wood and trees to make things and build and transport
their homes, and growing plants, mainly corn, squash and beans.
These themes are addressed in different ways. There are interpretation panels, interactive
terminals, visitor activities, shows, special events, etc. These
learning, sharing and communication tools are found in the five
zones of the Garden: the hardwood forest, the softwood forest,
the Nordic zone, the interpretation pavilion and the gathering
areas. In addition, paths, plant interpretation panels and guided
tours by Native interpretation staff will help visitors explore
and learn from this thematic garden. The pavilion also houses
a permanent exhibition including a slide show on contemporary
Native lifestyles and a Web site with links to various communities'
sites. Visitors can even take home evidence of these rich cultures,
from the gift shop selling Native art and handicrafts.
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