Rows upon rows of vibrant garden vegetables will be harvested this fall at the Keeseekoose First Nation Community Garden. The Garden Project, funded in part through Mosaic’s long-term partnership with the First Nation, is helping grow healthy food for their residents.
Established last year, the project includes one large community garden available to all community members and multiple single home gardens located across the First Nation. Our funding helped purchase seeds, tools, peat moss and lumber for garden boxes to prepare the garden for the first harvest. This support adds to a previous grant for a utility tractor and lawn mower.
“Mosaic’s mission—and the purpose behind all we do—is to help the world grow the food it needs,” shares Earl Greyeyes, Mosaic’s Indigenous Engagement Coordinator. “We are proud to partner on a sustainable project that is providing access to nutritious food to improve food security on the First Nation.”
“By working hand-in-hand with Mosaic, we are building a stronger community,” shares Keeseekoose’s former Chief, Calvin Straightnose. “Their support allows us to provide healthy food alternatives and rewarding opportunities for members of our community to work at the garden, while strengthen community ties.”
By contributing to meaningful initiatives and programs, we positively impact our local communities. To date, we have supported Keeseekoose First Nation with over $175,000 in funding, which includes a septic truck to improve the health and safety of the community and a charter bus to transport school children and Elders.
We are excited to join the Keeseekoose First Nation members in the fall to see this year’s harvest.