Ts’uubaa-asatx Placemaking Initiative Unites Communities and Cultures
Ts’uubaa-asatx First Nation-led community placemaking project to revitalize and connect three vital community assets - a Community Garden, waterfront meditative space, and interpretive trail – into a natural connection point for its members and nearby North Shore Estates residents.
Overview
Through a new Community Placemaking initiative, Ts’uubaa-asatx First Nation aims to connect communities and cultures through a community garden and natural space. The project will also upgrade the Elk Trail, linking neighbouring residential developments and improving access to both the community garden and Waterfront Memorial Garden.
The project is supported through the Island Coastal Economic Trust’s Community Placemaking Program with its focus on Food Security and Agrifood.
Strengthening Community Wellbeing
The project weaves together three important community assets: the Elk Trail, which facilitates travel between two residential areas; the community garden that promotes local food production and food security; and the Waterfront Memorial Garden that invites visitors to reflect in a meditative environment.
Quote about the project
“This funding will help bring three unique pieces of community infrastructure together to provide greater exposure and facilitate a learning environment for our members and visitors alike. The enhancements to the trail will allow for cultural interpretation to provide language and cultural knowledge to various plants/trees, etc; while the community garden will allow for various produce to be grown for food sustenance; and the waterfront fountain will pay homage to our elders and ancestors that were here before us and provide a great place for self-reflection and calmness” – Hereditary Chief Melanie Livingstone
Media Contacts
Jeff Bartlett
Communications and Impact Manager
Island Coastal Economic Trust
250-871-7797
jeff@islandcoastaltrust.ca
Aaron Hamilton
Operations Manager
Ts’uubaa-asatx First Nation
250-715-7560
Aaron@lcfn.ca
Project Details
Project Impact
The Trust invests in projects using a Wellbeing Impact Framework that looks beyond traditional economic metrics. This approach evaluates how each investment strengthens economic prosperity, cultural vitality, climate resilience, and social empowerment. By focusing on outcomes that matter to people and place, the Trust works to spur new investments that create meaningful, lasting benefits across Vancouver Island and the coast.
Economic Prosperity
- In tandem with attracting a much-anticipated project investment to revitalize the Elk Trail, creating an official link between public spaces, the project will also benefit local businesses by encouraging visitors and residents to spend more time in the adjacent areas.The project also facilitates important community partnerships between the Ts’uubaa-asatx First Nation, Cowichan Lake Trail Blazers Society, Little Cubs Daycare, and community leadership.
Climate Resiliency
- By improving the existing trail infrastructure, the project encourages active transportation between the two neighbouring communities. The community garden will also strengthen opportunities to grow food locally, reducing total food miles.
Cultural Vitality
- Interpretive trail signage will be placed alongside the Elk Trail, which connects the Ts’uubaa-asatx resident community and North Shore Estates housing development with the community garden and Waterfront Memorial Garden. These signs will contain descriptions of twenty medicinal plants found in the adjacent forest, providing all trail users to learn from Ts’uubaa-asatx traditional knowledge and culture.