Skip to main content
Welcome to the University of Lethbridge
  • Library
  • Directory
  • Intranet
  • MyExperience
  • Webmail
  • Bridge
  • Moodle
Study here Give
Agility
Close
  • About Us
    • Our Staff
    • Vision and Mission
  • Innovation Zone
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Initiatives
    • Innovation Catalyst Grant
    • Agility Award
    • Intellectual Property - Cover your Assets
    • Trailblazing
    • Past Initiatives
    • Launchpoint Pitch Competition
  • Upcoming Events
  • Library
  • Directory
  • Intranet
  • MyExperience
  • Webmail
  • Bridge
  • Moodle
Study here Give
Initiatives
  • Innovation Catalyst Grant
  • Agility Award
  • Intellectual Property - Cover your Assets
  • Trailblazing
    • Turn your ideas into action
  • Past Initiatives
    • Roots of Growth
  • Launchpoint Pitch Competition

Roots of Growth

Roots of Growth, is a student-led project at the University of Lethbridge, aims to memorialize the victims and survivors of the residential schooling system by planting 4 native trees across campus. Led by two university students, the following 3 trees and 2 bushes will be planted across campus:

  • Lodge Pole Pine
  • Golden Willow
  • Sergeant Poplar
  • Saskatoon Berry Bush x2

Community members will be able to use an app (see Digital App Project (link to Digital App Project Page)) or a brochure to navigate across campus to the plant locations. Along the way, they will learn about the plants from both the indigenous perspective (i.e., traditional plant uses, cultural significance, legends) and western perspective (i.e., botanical sketches, Latin names, qualities, characteristics, uses). This interactive approach to learning about plants, Blackfoot culture and traditions, and western science is meant to build awareness and activate new environmental stewards across our community. The project will also feature vital information about Residential schools and create a space for healing & reconciliation for our community.

Project Background

Video URL


The Roots of Growth Project was born out of a response to a call-to-action made by The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Action Item #74 calls upon the government to commemorate the deaths of many children who fell victim to the residential schooling system (p. 12).

Residential schools were a formal schooling system that was started in the 1880s and ended in 1996. The federal government, alongside certain churches and religious organizations, attempted to destroy the culture, language, traditions, and identities of Indigenous peoples across Canada.

At least 150,000 indigenous children forcefully attended one of the 139 residential schools in Canada. At least 4,100 children died while attending a residential school, and many of these deaths remain unreported today.

Donors, Future Plans, and More. A report.

Read Report PDF

Roots of Growth Tree Planting Ceremony

Spring 2022

Cierra Ross

Please join us and the University of Lethbridge in recognizing the lives lost and survivors of Residential Schools in Southern Alberta. This event is a student-led initiative that aims to bring our community together to heal and reconcile. Four trees are being planted across campus in honour of the resilience and strength of the First Nations people and all affected by residential schools. This is something that should have been done long ago because there is no reconciliation without truth. This day is to bring peace and growth in a new direction and to initiate bridging a cultural gap in our community. Four students will speak to the project, Elders will share personal stories, and the community will come together.

Cierra Ross, Student and Event Lead

Image
Roots of Growth - Tree Map

Downdload the Map [PDF]

Students

  • Academic calendar
  • Student Enrolment and Registrar Services
  • Student opportunities
  • Student services
  • Study here

Information for

  • Alumni
  • Donors
  • Visitors and community

Campus

  • Careers at uLethbridge
  • Events
  • Faculty and staff intranet
  • Maps and tours
  • News
Visit the University of Lethbridge Homepage
  • Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
  • Contact us
  • Calgary Campus
  • Faculty and staff directory

The University is located on traditional Blackfoot Confederacy territory. We honour the Blackfoot people and their traditional ways of knowing in caring for this land, as well as all Aboriginal peoples who have helped shape and continue to strengthen our University community.

©2025 University of Lethbridge | Terms of use