For one resident on Sitansisk (St. Marys First Nation), the journey toward sustainability began with a simple choice: to stop growing grass. What started twenty years ago as a desire to map local medicinal plants like yarrow and goldenrod eventually evolved into a flourishing front-yard food forest. Alongside her oldest son, Anthony, Cecilia began transforming the small urban lot with a couple of budget-friendly, raised beds made from local lumber, an investment of less than $50. The result of that first harvest, two hundred pounds of potatoes, was a pleasant shock that set a lifetime transformation in motion.

Over the decades, the lawn gave way to cherry, peach, and bur oak trees, alongside unique crops like loofah sponges on bamboo trellises and a spring carpet of vibrant purple violets. This vibrant departure from standard manicured turf brought texture, colour, and food right to the sidewalk. While the choice initially faced scepticism from a vocal neighbour, the garden ultimately acted as an unvoiced advocate; today, that same neighbour has transitioned their own yard away from a simple lawn.

Now living in Nashwaak Bridge, Cecilia continues to supply seedlings while her sons maintain the homestead. She believes local policy should change to encourage this shift, suggesting updates to building codes that offer topsoil instead of simple fill to new homeowners. Ultimately, she emphasizes that front-yard gardening builds authentic neighborhood networks, turning a private chore into an open invitation for community connection.