"You can't just take a piece of land from the university and build a garden on it": A case study of the Indigenous food and medicine garden at Western University
Peach, Laura J
Indigenization efforts at Canadian Universities are growing, yet the meanings and tensions associated with these spaces have not been well documented. This thesis draws from a case study of the Indigenous Food and Medicine Garden at Western University in London, Ontario, Canada to investigate its origins, uses and meanings. This thesis utilized an Indigenous-Guided research methodology to conduct in-depth interviews (n=17) of key stakeholders, including Garden founders and users. Interview data were transcribed verbatim and categorized using thematic analysis. Results indicated that a web of relations between all interviewees best represents the creation story of the Garden. Further, assertion of Indigenous control was the primary use of the space. However, broader institutional problems were indicated to inhibit the potential of this project. Overall, the findings of thesis indicate that Indigenization efforts must be balanced with institutional ally-ship to produce meaningful spaces for reconciliation.
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by University of Western Ontario