The Grandmother Earth's Gift of Life Garden on the NDSU campus now has signs to identify the various plants in the garden. The signs include their common plant name, scientific name and how Native Americans used the plant. For example, the wild bergamot was used in various forms to treat intestine and skin ailments.
The garden is located at the corner of Centennial Boulevard and Administration Avenue.
The garden honors Native Americans of North Dakota and features plants and soil provided by tribal colleges throughout the state. The garden was dedicated June 1, 2009.
Todd Weinmann, NDSU Extension horticulturist for Cass County, formed a committee to look at what should be planted in the garden and how the public could fully appreciate the garden through educational efforts, such as the identification signs. Botanists from the tribal colleges also were asked to share information on how Native Americans used the plants.
The NDSU Extension Service, along with the Spirit Lake Tribe, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Nation, Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate and NDSU Office of Multicultural Programs, planned and implemented the garden.