Restoration and Land-based Learning at mâmawêyatitân centre located in Regina, Saskatchewan

Abstract

This report summarizes the work that mâmawêyatitân centre staff, students and volunteers have accomplished to convert a patch of school grounds into a native prairie garden. The restoration project has two main goals: 1) Replace underused lawn with native prairie plant communities on an urban site, and 2) Establish a land-based learning space for community members and the student body of Scott Collegiate. Jo Shepherd, the mâmawêyatitân centre coordinator, started the project in 2023 and I joined her team in spring 2024 to help with garden restoration and to assist with facilitating Scott classes. As of winter 2025, over 1500+ native prairie plugs were planted, invasives species have been managed, several high school classes have engaged in land-based learning, 10 community work-bees were held, a workshop was hosted by a Cree knowledge keeper on sage harvesting, and Jo Shepherd and I presented a poster at the annual Native Prairie Restoration and Reclamation Workshop. Multiple challenges have been tackled including lack of student engagement, vandalism, litter, invasive species and inadequate drainage. A third project goal is to transfer the responsibilities of maintenance to Scott classes and Growing Young Movers employees to ensure the long-term survival of the garden. We aim to make the garden a welcoming gathering space where plants, seeds and traditional knowledge can be shared among community members, students and staff.