written by 2021 Outreach Assistant Sydney Taplin
One rare cool and overcast day in July, OWC’s Outreach Assistants and Education Program Manager joined Api’soomaahka (William Singer III) and members of Blood Tribe Land Management in planting approximately 700 native shrubs and grasses at Naapi’s Garden. These included Misisaimi’soyiis (wolf willow, Elaeagnus commutata), Otsipiis (willows, Salix species), A'siitsiksimm (balsam poplar, Populus balsamifera), Okonoki (saskatoons, Amelanchier alnifolia), Pakkii'p (chokecherries, Prunus virginiana), Pakksini’simaan (gooseberries, Ribes oxycanthoides), and grasses like rough fescue (Festuca campestris) and junegrass (Koeleria macrantha). Many hands made for light work, and we were done in no time!
Unloading the shrubs off the trailer from Grumpy’s Greenhouse at Naapi’s Garden. Photo by Jessica Tinholt
We began the day visiting with the members of Blood Tribe Land Management, Debbie and Ernie Everts from Grumpy’s Greenhouse (who supplied the shrubs), and Api’soomaahka. Once we were all gathered, we introduced ourselves, and Van Singer said a prayer in Blackfoot for the plants and everyone in attendance. Then we pulled on our gloves and began planting.
Debbie Everts (Grumpy’s Greenhouse) and Outreach Assistant Sydney Taplin unloading shrubs off the trailer.
Everyone worked hard to put shrubs into the ground.
The shrubs were planted in three different locations. The first spot was along the lake on the edge of Naapi’s Garden, where the vegetation consisted of a few grass species and exposed soil. The second site was a small slough made when the gravel road to the house was constructed. The third site was along a small ephemeral ditch that feeds into the lake during the spring months.
As they grow, the roots of the shrubs act as natural filters for runoff that comes off the land. They also stabilize the soil so it can act like a sponge that holds water during periods of drought. Many of the shrubs were planted along the lake in the middle of Naapi’s Garden, where they will serve as a buffer and prevent the lake from shrinking during our hot southern Alberta summers. The lake offers an important water source for local flora and fauna. It also provides a convenient water source for Api’soomaahka to draw upon when he waters other plants on the property. The growth of more standing vegetation allows for increased bird and mammal diversity that will use the area for food and shelter.
The species were carefully selected for the prairie ecosystem, and because of their value to the Blackfoot people. Api’soomaahka plans to use these plants for teaching, as well as to propagate and plant in more locations on Kainai Nation and other places in the watershed.
Later in the summer, Jessica and Sydney spent a morning helping Api’soomaahka water the shrubs. Every three days, Api’soomaahka waters all 700 shrubs that were planted. This is no small feat considering there is little water available, and the shrubs drink around 300 gallons every watering. To perform this task, a massive water tank has a permanent residence in the back of his truck, and a water pump is connected to around 50 feet of garden hose.
Api’soomaahka (William Singer III) hooking up the pump to his water tank used to water plants.
Extensive time and effort have been invested in nurturing these small plants, and as a result they have been thriving. A few leaves had turned yellow, but the plants recognize there is a drought and have been saving their energy. Nevertheless, many of the plants have new vegetation growing on them near the base of their stems.
Outreach Assistant Jessica Tinholt and Api’soomaahka watering plants that were planted near the lake.
While presently small and few, these plants will benefit the watershed immensely and will also play an important part in helping to restore traditional cultural practices at Naapi’s Garden. We look forward to watching them grow! OWC is often looking for volunteers to harvest willows and then stake them into the ground. Check out our website to find out how to become a member and never miss a volunteer opportunity!
Thank you to Api’soomaahka and Blood Tribe Land Management staff for planting and watering the shrubs!
Project Funders
Thank you also to the following grants / funders for supporting this valuable work:
The Calgary Foundation
Alberta Ecotrust Foundation
Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program
Alberta Conservation Association
Canada Summer Jobs
