The Healthy Living Program offers an innovative way to support Indigenous students in making wise choices in health, wellness and life style.  The program nurtures the development of the whole person with initiatives that promote the interconnections of body, mind, emotions, and spirit. Traditional and contemporary knowledge are used in implementing these programs. The program works collaboratively with the existing infrastructure programs offered through CAHRD and Neeginan Centre.

The Learning Garden

The Learning Garden is a working 1,200 square foot indoor garden space with seven science-based exhibits on “How to Grow Food” in a sustainable manner, consistent with Indigenous teachings.  Design of the exhibits has been a collaborative effort between Neeginan College of Applied Technology and the University of Manitoba.  Tours and workshops of The Learning Garden are offered to students of schools in Winnipeg, with free-of-charge access for inner city schools.

The Learning Garden also includes the outdoor Urban Gardens (vertical and self-irrigated spaces), Sacred Seed Bank, Farmers Market, and Three Sisters Garden.  The Learning Garden is designed to facilitate informal and formal learning for all ages, including daycare children.  Students of CAHRD’s Aboriginal Community Campus will maintain The Learning Garden under supervision of a horticulturist.  These students will be known as the Keepers of the Garden.

Lifestyles for Healthy Living

Lifestyles for Healthy Living will offer daily exercise and nutrition education for CAHRD’s students and daycare children.  This program will:

• Offer Keep Fit Challenges, Breakfast Exercise Classes and children’s fitness activities;
• Promote traditional and modern approaches for health and wellness with a strong focus on families
• and community; and
• Promote lifestyle choices that reduce the risk of developing chronic disease.

The healthy living program is sponsored by