The Four Directions Canoe Garden installation was inspired by the diverse community at Cook Elementary and in acknowledgment of migratory human journey. Many of us have come here the lands originally inhabited by Indigenous peoples, recognized as Coast Salish Territory and the ancestral home of the Musqueam people. The four directions is an Indigenous pedagogy commonly used by many peoples. There are four stylized canoes that point in the four main compass directions. The idiom “Grow where you are Planted” is symbolized with a central garden hub that is intended for pollinators and creatures of the eco system. The tiniest animals were soon here after the ice receded to create the island of what is known today as Richmond. The river delta is a flyway for many pollinators and birds, we share the land with the animals.
The wood for the construction of the garden was provided by the City Richmond Parks Department via the Richmond Food Security Society who teach the young kids in the adjacent food garden at the school. Through the assistance of our mentor Dan we processed the wood. Pat and Sean assembled the canoe garden and installed it on site.
Spring 2022 Planting.
Inspired by the colours of the four directions, pollinator friendly native plants representing the blooming colours were placed in the Canoe Garden.
North (White) – Chickweed
East (Yellow) – Goldenrod
South (Red) – Blanket Flower
West (Blue) – Alpine Aster, Comfrey (returning)
In the center of the planter is a Red Flowering Currant, Nodding onion and Kinnikinnick
Creative Cafe Artist Collective 