Manitoba Mtis Federation tends heritage garden at Riel House

The Manitoba Mtis Federation (MMF) partnered with Parks Canada this summerto growa period-specific garden atRiel House,the formerhome of the family ofMtis leader Louis Riel.

The national historic site in Winnipeg is meant to showMtis life in the1880s.

What exactly is a period-specific vegetable? According to MMF Minister of Agriculture David Beaudin, they are non-GMOheirloom or heritage vegetables that maintain the same characteristics from one generation to the next.

Some of the 40 species of plants grown in the garden includeatomic red carrots, blue cocobeans,dill, cucumber and bell peppers.

Terrie Dionne, Parks Canada's superintendent for the Manitoba Field Unit, said thanks to the garden project,visitors could learn about historic gardening practices on a traditional river lot farm.

Corn was also being grown at the garden, along with beans and squash, in a traditional method.Beaudinsaid the "three sisters" crops are grown together as the corn stalks support the beanswhile the squash leaves provide shadethat helps to control weeds and soil moisture.

He said there are plans to establish a greenhouse and a community garden in each MMF region next year to givefamilies a chance to reintroduce traditional Mtis recipes into their daily lives with the end goal being food sovereignty.

At the MMF's annual corn roast at Riel House on Aug.27,produce from the garden for the meal included beets, onion, chard, peppers, potatoes, and corn.

About 225 kilogramsof vegetables, fruits, and herbs harvested from the Riel House garden will be distributed to Mtis elders and citizens in need.