Earth Day and Spring Work Bee

Preston Warberg and Cath Lofsky working to clean up the Noojimo'iwewin Gitigaan Garden.

Tuesday’s chill didn’t keep the Hippo School children inside, but the Children’s Program Team did retreat to the Butterfly and Berry Garden in the laneway. The Team shared the story of Turtle Island, and gave thanks for the whole planet with puppets, movement, song, and chalk in the colours of the world. We honoured Muskrat, whose desire to help Skywoman at last brought Soil from the bottom of the Great Water. Skywoman danced, and Turtle Island--North & Central America--was born.

Hippo School children in the Butterfly and Berry Garden in the laneway on Earth Day.

The next day, the Noojimo’iwewin Gitigaan Crew hosted a Work Bee that was more about shovels, gravel, and river stone, as they completed the hardscaping of the Full Moon Rain Garden then turned attention to the Children’s Garden. Happy Earth Day greetings were warmly welcomed along with the beautiful sunlight, and conversations about the upcoming We Are All Water Protectors Gathering were to be had with passersby.

The Crew removed hundreds of toxic cigarette butts from the outdoor space around St. Matt’s, broken glass, food wrappers random pieces of plastic and styrofoam…the usual finds. Some of the non-indigenous bossy and bullying plants that make it hard for indigenous plants to compete were removed, signage renewed, and the Gathering’s sign installed by Jorry. A long, productive day, with great leadership from Vanessa Barnes, Preston Walberg, Monica Meeson, and Cath Lofsky!

We're hiring for two Canada Summer Jobs positions: We are thrilled to share two employment opportunities with the IPSG. We have received funding for two Canada Summer Jobs, and are hiring for one Event Planner and one Event Marketer. The postings can be found here. Applications are due by 12 noon on Monday, April 27, 2026.