Community connections continue to crop up in Teulon where a local garden project thrives.
The Teulon and District Métis Association recently launched a community garden initiative. The project aims to create a community space for everyone to enjoy, while also helping to address food security in the area.
In the spring, volunteers came out to plant the garden, including representatives from the Teulon United Church, Teulon Food Bank and Teulon and District Métis Association. Jack Park from the Interlake Métis Association and Teulon Mayor Todd Campbell were also on hand to help.
Together, they planted a bounty of vegetables, herbs, strawberries and traditional medicines such as sweet grass, sage and tobacco.
Youngsters from the Teulon Daycare’s school-age program also plan to lend a hand by watering the garden.
In early July, the Teulon & District Métis Association provided the first donation of garden goodies to the Teulon Food Bank consisting of basil, parsley, thyme, spinach, lettuce and a few radishes.
And now their efforts will continue to flourish thanks to a $2,500 grant from the Red River Co-op Support Fund.
Alyssa Kost, community partnership and event coordinator for Red River Cooperative Ltd., said the fund’s purpose is to support projects of charities and non-profits that operate and serve within Red River Co-op’s trading area. To be eligible, projects must align with one or more of three key focus areas: food security, environmental sustainability, and inclusion and sustainable livelihoods.
“Through this fund, we’re proud to have supported over 70 organizations last year, helping to create meaningful impact in the communities we serve,” she said.
The Teulon & District Métis Association’s garden project was selected to receive a $2,500 monetary donation because it strongly aligns with the key focus area of food security.
“The project supports local Métis elders and the food bank by providing access to fresh produce, addressing barriers many face in accessing healthy food. It also offers opportunities for youth involvement, fostering intergenerational learning and cultural connection,” Kost said.
“Additionally, the garden reflects Red River Co-op’s commitment to reconciliation, diversity and inclusion. As a promising early-stage initiative with meaningful community impact, we are proud to support it and look forward to seeing it grow.”
As a co-operative, Red River Co-op is built by and for the people it serves, Kost added.
“We are owned by our members who live in the same communities where we do business, so we’re deeply committed to giving back in ways that make those communities better places to live, work and play,” she said.
“Supporting initiatives like this reflects our values and helps build a stronger, more connected and more resilient community for everyone.”
“It feels amazing that we were able to receive this donation to continue with additional expenses to our budget to ensure that our garden will be successful — not only this year but going forward,” she said.
“It will go towards a garden storage shed and some sort of conversational seating, as well as to cover additional costs that come up when doing projects like this.”
In addition to providing fresh and healthy produce, the garden also serves as a hands-on way to bring the community together.
“I think the work we have done to include our youth in the community, our elders and other community organizations has been a positive experience for both the community and for the Teulon and District Métis Association members. We have created a space within our community for engagement in conversation and learning experiences,” Chartrand said.
“It’s great that people are stopping us around town admiring what we have created and offering ideas for growth. I think it’s also open doors to future partnerships that will only benefit our community and show how dedicated our group is within our community.”
For anyone who would like to get involved, they can email teulondistrictmetis@gmail.com or reach out to any executive member, including Chartrand.
“We are always open to community members that can offer workshops with the vegetables being grown, suggestions or ideas to make this project grow, and collaboration with other organizations within our community,” she said.
