St. Jude’s Supports Sacred Plants at Indigenous Gathering Space’s Opening

“Our Gathering Lodge”—the dazzling new Indigenous space at Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre (QEPCCC) in Oakville—opened on June 18, 2026, just prior to National Indigenous Peoples Day. St. Jude’s participated in the ceremony, featuring elders, knowledge keepers and Indigenous community members of all ages, along with local, provincial and federal officials, donors, and Debwewin Oakville participants and allies.

Advising elder Peter Schuler (Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation [MCFN])–who, with Indigenous-led consultations, has guided the Lodge’s design, governance and planned uses—opened the day with words of hope and healing. The indoor and outdoor space, it was noted, will be integral to restoring traditions, revitalizing languages, and sharing stories while connecting on the land and with each other. Indigenous educator and Lodge council member Lois Dickson–Coast Ts’msyen First Nation, Elder, Pacific Northwest British Columbia—sang and drummed, leading an interactive sing-a-long.  Local knowledge keeper Stephen Paquette spoke about the sun’s warmth blessing the day, with strong gusts of wind conveying ancestors’ spiritual presence for this important time of renewal on MCFN’s traditional Treaty 22 territory.

The second part was a blessing and communal planting of the gardens, led by Elder Peter. To kick it off, OCF thanked St. Jude’s and Oakvillegreen conservation agency for sponsoring the gardens, who in turn planted together a wild strawberry plant with others planting the remaining sacred plants.  The gardens reaffirm community connections to Creator and creation and its dedication to restoration of the land. Indigenous plants represented include: wild bergamot, milkweed, black-eyed Susan, wild strawberry, pearly everlasting, smooth blue aster, Eastern white cedar, pale purple coneflower, sweet grass, tobacco, wild geranium. The outdoor area also features a fire pit.

Earlier that week, St. Jude’s had joined Oakville Community Foundation in picking up the sacred plants at Kayanase, an Indigenous owned greenhouse on Six Nations of the Grand River reserve https://www.kayanase.ca/ . They also stopped by MCFN’s administrative offices, finalizing ceremony details. Kayanase is committed to “restoring Mother Earth through a holistic approach—collecting and producing native seed, propagating plants, and revitalizing ecosystems to support healthy biodiversity.” Oakvillegreen conservation agency, the garden’s co-sponsor, also donated some of the garden’s plants. 

Attendees then explored the Lodge’s indoor space, panelled with a rough-pine design and black ceiling like the night sky complemented by a colourful mural with traditional motifs by Jensen Group, a local Indigenous-owned design firm. Refreshments and locally sourced food were provided by Chef Tawnya Brant. 

The new space presents a coming together in a “supportive environment for traditions, culture, art and community to be shared and celebrated”, states the Oakville Community Foundation who has spearheaded Debwewin Oakville and the Lodge initiative. For some years, St. Jude’s has been privileged to participate in Debwewin Oakville’s Ally Leadership Council, alongside Oakville and Indigenous community partners.  A vision for this space has been one of the initial aims of the Council’s work and conversations. As Elder Peter has stated, the space promotes reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, “as well as reconciliation between all Indigenous peoples.”

MCFN O’Gimma Kwe (Chief) Margaret Sault advised OCF of her full support and interest in hosting a MCFN Council meeting, as well as off reserve member meetings, at the site. Plans are also underway for beading and drum-making, language lessons and ceremonies, as well as providing a safe space for youth to spend time. The Lodge anticipates holding community events for friends and neighbours to be an invited part of local Indigenous celebrations.

Corporate in-kind donations, and other gifts by allies, have been integral to making the space a reality. Ongoing support is still needed for basic operations and activities at the space. As St. Jude’s Rector, the Rev. Canon Dr. David Anderson, wrote in his earlier invitation to the St. Jude’s community regarding support of the Indigenous Gathering Space, parishioners and friends of the St. Jude’s community can, together, help fulfill the promise of our living land acknowledgement. Contributing to “Our Gathering Lodge” is a tangible way to honour this sacred bond, as “grateful treaty people”.
DONATE NOW: https://ocf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1303

Our Gathering Lodge – YourTV Halton video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqZCJJ3YXRw