There’s something new growing here at The Forks. Tucked between the Promenade and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights is a fresh new installation that brings together plants, people, and the natural world.
Meet Woven Relations, an Indigenous medicine and plant garden brought to life by StorefrontMB and Cool Gardens. This unique garden offers a welcoming space for urban medicine harvesting and cultural connection within the Indigenous community.
Shaped in the form of a braided sweetgrass spiral, the garden symbolizes interconnectedness and the deep relationships between land, culture, and community.
Pictured by Karen Asher: Busola Ayoola, Eva Hagel MacPherson, Frits Van Loon, Jane Santa Ana, Jory Thomas, Maggie Cramb, Shiza Jawed, Yanchi Liu
Built by a dedicated team of students from the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Architecture, Woven Relations honours Indigenous teachings, wild harvesting traditions, and the spirit of learning together. Professor Frits Van Loon brings his guidance to the project, prioritizing a diverse team with varied skills and backgrounds. Many of the students come from around the world, united by their respect for Indigenous knowledge and a shared goal of creating something lasting.
This summer, Woven Relations will host a series of workshops that offer opportunities to learn about medicine harvesting, cultural teachings, and the respectful preparation of traditional plants. They invite all visitors, whether Indigenous or non-Indigenous, to participate and deepen their understanding and appreciation of these traditions.
Before the garden is removed later this year, a final harvest and community celebration will take place. It will be a special moment to gather, reflect, and carry the teachings forward. All of these workshops will take place at the foot of the Esplanade Riel Footbridge. See the full schedule below:
- Mid-Season Plan Teachings: Thursday, August 21, 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
- Harvesting and Monoprint Workshop with Urban Shaman Gallery: Saturday, September 13, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Woven Relations will be here at The Forks until September 28. We invite you to come by, explore, and connect with this beautiful space before it’s gone.