Butterflies flew free June 30 at the celebration for Totem Lodge’s new garden.
The residents of Totem carefully raised the painted lady caterpillars that had transformed into butterflies. The mem7iman Child Development Centre children performed the “animal dance” and shíshálh Nation’s Andy Johnson blessed the event by drumming and singing the Honour song.
This garden will be used to provide a wide variety of horticulture therapy and walking programs, and to provide habitat for some of our precious local pollinators.
The moving event – one of gathering and transformation and healing – saw laughter, singing, and letting go as the stresses of two hard years softened in the beauty of the lodge’s newest refuge.
The Kilala (salish for butterfly) Six Sense Garden was a partnership between the lodge, the Rotary Club of Sechelt master gardener Pat Kolderman and a number members of the Sechelt Rotary and Sunshine Coast Botanical Garden clubs. GBS provided the roof of the cedar arbour designed, milled and built by Ken Kolderman. Sunshine Coast Healthcare Auxiliary provided financial support and a number of local residents provided plants.
There are many other volunteer opportunities and support is always appreciated – get in touch!
