The Henteleff Park Foundation acknowledges that we are on Treaty One land and that Manitoba exists on lands and waters that have long sustained the peoples and cultures of the Anishinaabe, Ininiwak, Anishininiwak, Dakota Oyate, Denesuline, and on the homeland of the Métis Nation. Through this acknowledgement, we hope to deepen our understanding of the past and the present, to decolonize the ways we think and act, and to contribute to reconciliation and healing.

Greetings from the Board President

GRATITUDE is foremost on my mind this summer as Henteleff Park blooms with growth and activity. I am most grateful for having had the opportunity to re-engage with our community in the Park for our annual Tree Planting event held on June 11^th after two years absence. It was genuinely heartwarming to see families and friends return for this event, and to watch newcomers from surrounding neighbourhoods planting together. The new grove looks fantastic! Look for photos about this successful event later in this issue.

I am also grateful for Yude Henteleff, who turned 95 years young on June 7^th. Yude continues to actively participate on the Henteleff Park Foundation Board of Directors and is a constant reminder to Park users about the importance of park stewardship. Yude’s determination and leadership has inspired many of us, young and old, to care for and to appreciate the lasting gift of Henteleff Park.

I am grateful for all educators in our community; thank you for inspiring our youthful citizens to value and protect our natural environment. And, I am especially grateful for the heartfelt messages and artwork created by Jessica Best’s grades 2/3 students from Samuel Burland School.  Some of you may have already noticed the students’ work strategically located in the Park. During the summer, the children’s messages are certain to capture your attention and may cause you to reflect on what it means to be a steward of your environment.

There are so many reasons to feel gratitude this year. One is the hard work of our many wonderful volunteers, who, literally, are on their hands and knees caring for the Park. I am also grateful for and immensely proud of the Board of Directors who lovingly (yes, lovingly!) and generously devote many hours of their personal time to care for and protect Henteleff Park as if it were their own backyard. And really, that’s what Henteleff Park feels like for so many who enjoy it – the feeling that it’s our Park, our peaceful place; and as Yude once aptly remarked, God help anyone who tries to take that away!

On behalf of the Henteleff Park Board of Directors, thank you for continuing to support the Henteleff Park Foundation through your donations and volunteerism. This summer, I hope you make the most of our long and beautiful Manitoba days in Henteleff Park and wherever you enjoy the great outdoors!

Corinne Caron
Acting President, Henteleff Park Foundation

There’s new art in the Park! Artworks and writings created by teacher Jessica Best’s Grade 2/3 students from Samuel Burland School guide visitors on how to be responsible Park users. During previous visits, the students learned about the challenges of caring for the Park and decided to share what they learned with the community.

On June 23rd, the students revisited the Park accompanied by Ms. Best, Samuel Burland Principal Ross Cathers, parent volunteers, members of the Henteleff Board and of the community. If you scan the QR codes on the works, you can listen to each student reading their letter.
PHOTO CREDIT: WES BRAUN

The annual Tree Planting took place under clearing skies on Saturday, June 11 from 10:00 am to noon. Fifty-two volunteers planted 87 trees and shrubs. As well as many families, also present was our President Emeritus Yude Henteleff, who grew up on the land that is now Henteleff Park, and without whose efforts over many years the Park would not exist. Standing behind Yude in the photo of him with Winnipeg City Councillor Markus Chambers and Member of Parliament Terry Duguid is Yude’s partner Joy Winchell. Member of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly Rochelle Squires (right) is seen conferring with the chair of the HPF Site Management Committee, Marilyn Latta (left), the guiding force behind Henteleff Park tree plantings.
PHOTO CREDIT: WES BRAUN
 

Henteleff Park proudly announces that it is now part of the Bee Better Manitoba Pollinator-Friendly Public Garden Program! The newly installed signs at each end of the Tall Grass Prairie highlight how the Park provides a pollinator-friendly habitat through the planting and care of native wildflowers in this restored prairie habitat. Wildflowers in this area are important resources for native insects in a number of ways: they provide nectar and pollen; serve as host plants for many kinds of caterpillars; provide nesting sites for solitary bees; and offer shelter for overwintering insect species.

Thank you to our staff and volunteers

Earlier this year, the Henteleff Park Board of Directors felt it was time to examine why we do what we do with the intent of setting clear goals for the future of the Foundation and ultimately, for the Park. A good starting point was to develop a new purpose statement that was easy to understand, remember and relate to.

To act in Stewardship for Henteleff Park

The volunteer-run and non-profit Henteleff Park Foundation is dedicated to caring for Henteleff Park through:

• restoration and conservation of its lands, plants, and wildlife
• partnership with community
• advocating for the Park
• education about its existing ecology and many-layered human and ecological history