Resource person: learn@vandusen.org

Location: Great Hall -VanDusen Botanical Garden | 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC, V6M 1A2

Description:

This Lecture Series session will be offered in a hybrid format, which gives you the option of attending the event live In-Person (in the Great Hall) at VanDusen Botanical Garden or joining the event Online (over Zoom). 

To attend the event IN PERSON, please register from this page (select the green Register button in top right corner of this page).

To attend ONLINE, click here to register.

Join us for a special evening of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives about plants, nature and reciprocity. This Lecture is a unique opportunity to gain an understanding of Indigenous ways of knowing the natural world.

Monique Gray Smith—an internationally renowned speaker of Cree and Scottish heritage—is celebrated for her storytelling, spirit of generosity, and focus on resilience. With a unique ability to connect audiences to both knowledge and heart, she will share her journey of adapting Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass for young adults and the young at heart.

Through this lecture, Monique will weave together the three core teachings of Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants —while also discussing key themes such as history, social and emotional learning, and practical action steps. There will also be a book signing for those wishing to attend.

About the speaker:  

Monique Gray Smith is an award-winning, best-selling author. Her books cover a broad spectrum of ages, topics and emotions. Woven into all of Monique’s writing, speaking engagements and online courses is the teaching that Love is Medicine. In September 2022, she released her 4th children’s picture book, I Hope with Orca Book Publishers. Monique’s most recent book is Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults, which received the Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award for 2022. Originally written by Robin Wall Kimmerer and the adaptation includes illustrations by Nicole Neidhardt. Monique’s novel, Tilly and the Crazy Eights was longlisted for Canada Reads 2021. Her newest children’s book, Circle of Love, came out in 2024.

To see Monique Gray Smith's full bio, see here.

See our cancellation policy here.

Available spots: Available

Price: $20.00 Taxes not included

Notes: Pre-registration is required.

Prerequisites:

More information: Please arrive 15 minutes early to check-in and find a seat.

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