Forests Ontario and Partners Come Together for Reconciliation Planting

On September 23rd, twenty-five community and First Nations partners gathered for a socially distanced Reconciliation and Climate Change Planting event on the traditional territories of the Algonquin and Mohawk Nations in Shanly, Ontario to form ‘The Healing Place.’

Through the planting of over 250 culturally significant trees and shrubs, the event combined the sharing of traditional knowledge with ecological restoration as an act of reconciliation.

“Forests Ontario is honored to have had the opportunity to be a part of this Reconciliation and Climate Change Planting,” said Rob Keen, CEO of Forests Ontario and Registered Professional Forester. “This event was so much more than just getting trees in the ground; rather, it acted as an important platform for cross-cultural dialogue and a critical step forward in the journey of reconciliation. It is my hope that The Healing Place continues to be a safe gathering place for the community long after today.”

The site’s name, The Healing Place, speaks to both the medicinal applications and traditional uses of the species that were planted, as well as to the healing aspect of the natural environment. The name also reflects the opportunity and necessity to build relationships and help heal some of the pain that systemic oppression and violence towards Indigenous peoples has caused throughout Canada’s history.

The planting took place on South Nation Conservation (SNC) property, located on traditional First Nations territory and home to several species at risk, including the Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark. SNC plans to continue undertaking additional restoration work on the property.

“Forests Ontario extends many thanks to TD Bank Group, the founding sponsor of the Reconciliation Community Tree Plant program, as well as to Enbridge Gas, Assembly of First Nations, and Ontario Power Generation for making this event possible,” noted Keen.

This event was planned and hosted by a collaborative of partners, including Plenty Canada, Mohawks of Akwesasne, Algonquins of Pikwakanagan, Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation, South Nation Conservation, Ontario Power Generation, and Forests Ontario. The idea for the planting was hatched at the 2019 Assembly of First Nation’s Climate Change Summit in Whitehorse, Yellowknife, where attendees made a commitment to offset their travel-related carbon emissions through tree planting.