Immanuel Wetaskiwin Remembers

In 2015 Immanuel, Wetaskiwin created its first Heart Garden. The garden was created as part of the church's reconciliation work. The garden is to honour the children who went to residential schools and those who died while at the schools. It was the first big event that the Reconciliation Team of Immanuel put together. On Saturday, June 3, 2023, the community gathered once again, this time to create its 9th garden. The community was able to plant the heart garden even during pandemic time. 

People from the parish and friends gathered on the Saturday morning. They heard the story, I am Not a Number, and made a wind spinner craft that some of the folks hung up on the chokecherry tree, the tree that was planted as part of the diocese’s centennial celebration in 2014. 

With some hands-off assistance from the adults present, the children planted all of the flowers into the garden. There was a lot of laughter as the children watered the flowers and stepped back to admire their work. The morning was finished off with a tasty treat of hotdogs and fruit kebabs. All agreed the morning was a good way to honour the children who went to residential schools and especially those who did not return to their families.