Explore Our Medicine Learning Garden At Beaty Branch

Beaty Re-imagined: Our Healthy Communities Initiative

Milton Public Library was the proud recipient of a $50,000 grant in 2022 from the Government of Canada’s Health Communities Initiative. Partnering with the local Indigenous organizations, MPL continues to bring new life to the Beaty Branch and inspire a more inclusive, inviting and vibrant community space, both indoors and out, centered around the Indigenous ways of knowing about the land, plants and medicines.

Projects completed to date as part of this grant include the indigenization of all MPL’s collection, which is available to the public in physical books and through e-resources, a beautiful mural in the main atrium depicting the plants in the garden, and the establishment of the Medicine Learning Garden, located behind the branch.

The Medicine Learning Garden is filled with pollinator-friendly species native to Ontario, with a view to centering Indigenous ways of knowing about the land, plants, and medicines. These teachings are supported by Indigenous-centered programming offered by the Library, featuring voices of Indigenous authors, artists, and Elders, creating a vibrant community space. Patrons of all ages are welcome to explore the garden, by viewing the bees hard at work at the on-site hives and story walks throughout the space.

Mural Painting by: Cassandra Bomberry

The Creator shares many gifts with us on Turtle Island, many can be found in this garden. Alongside the four medicines used in ceremony (tobacco, sweetgrass, sage and cedar), you will find water, winged and four legged creatures, and plants that nourish many.

The Garden was planted in the traditional manner of Indigenous people and with guidance from the local Indigenous community.

This Medicine Garden reminds us that we are interconnected. We must take care of the land and each other. Medicines can be anything that affect you physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.

Take time to sit in the garden and enjoy its bounty. Then reflect and commit to making this world a better place than you found it. Together we can move Truth and Reconciliation forward in a meaningful way.

Bee Inspired: Our Beaty Hives

Children, and those young at heart, can experience our Beaty beehives and viewing area in partnership with Humble Bee. Humble Bee, a full-service apiary with a focus on sustainable urban honey production and education, provides STEAM-based programming for patrons of all ages during the warmer months. Bee sure to stop by the Medicine Learning Garden to see the Beaty Bee’s hard at work!

MPL offers Beaty honey for sale at all three branches, while supplies last! New batches of honey are typically available in late fall.