PEPÁḴEṈ HÁUTW̱ Nursery and Garden: Interview with Ashley Cooper

PEPÁḴEṈ HÁUTW̱ is an incredible nursery and garden program that means “Blossoming Place”, in SENĆOŦEN, the language of the W̱SÁNEĆ people. PEPÁḴEṈ HÁUTW̱ nursery and garden program grows native plants such as ELILE ( Salmon Berry) and ḰȽO,EL (Camas) for ecosystem restoration and traditional food projects throughout W̱SÁNEĆ territory. PEPÁḴEṈ HÁUTW̱ is located at the ȽÁU,WELṈEW̱ Tribal School, in Brentwood Bay, BC and they teach weekly workshops to the students from kindergarten-grade 11 about Indigenous foods, medicines, and stewardship. The program takes students as well as volunteers throughout W̱SÁNEĆ territory to participate in ecosystem restoration projects.