British primatologist Jane Goodall visits Kitchener
Jane Goodall, a world-renowned expert in primate research and conservation of the species, visited Kitchener, Ont. on Wednesday.
The British primatologist, who has dedicated her life to help save the natural world, dropped by for an event at the Centre in the Square.
But first, she attended a much more intimate gathering at River Willow Centre in downtown Kitchener.
The centre is an open-door community space for those who identify as Indigenous, racialized, two-spirited and LGBTQ+.
The group behind the centre is well known in the community for their time at Landback camp in Victoria Park, also known as Willow River Park, three years ago.
In the back of the King Street East property is a garden, which used to be full of weeds. But thanks to a $5,000 donation from the Jane Goodall Institute, it now has a seating area, a small fire pit and gardens for growing food and medicine.
“Having a green space in the city, seeing that insects will come, and birds will come, and little animals will come,” said Goodall, referencing why the donation was important.
Goodall took a tour of the centre Wednesday afternoon and spoke to community members there about their joint effort to live off the land.
“To be able to hear Jane’s stories and her own relationship with the plants and the animals, we know that feeling was shared because Landback camp started on the land and we spent so much time in the park surrounded by animals and the trees and nature,” said Bangishimo, co-director of Willow River Centre.
Goodall also aligns with many of the values of the centre.
"The common thread that binds us all together is that we're all human beings. That's much more important than our religion, our race, colour of skin, language, culture. We're all human beings. All one family," said Goodall.
Staff at Willow River Centre say they have tried to make the garden as accessible as possible with raised beds.
They also hope to keep upgrading their garden over time with a bee hotel and other animal habitats – a cause close to Goodall's heart.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump on Day 1: Begin deportation push, pardon Jan. 6 rioters and make his criminal cases vanish
Donald Trump has said he wouldn't be a dictator — 'except for Day 1.' According to his own statements, he's got a lot to do on that first day in the White House.
'I was called;' Murray Sinclair's life and legacy honoured at emotional memorial
Applause erupted over and over at the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg Sunday as the son of Murray Sinclair, a former judge, senator and chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission into residential schools, spoke about his father.
Children's book by chef Jamie Oliver withdrawn after criticism from Indigenous Australians
A children's book written by British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has been withdrawn from sale after it was criticized for causing offense to Indigenous Australians.
Montreal dockworkers reject deal with lockout to begin
The union representing some 1,200 dockworkers at the Port of Montreal has overwhelmingly rejected a deal with their employers association.
Man shot by police in Hamilton has died, victim did 'not appear' to fire a gun, says SIU
A man who was critically injured in a police-involved shooting in Hamilton late Sunday afternoon has died in hospital, says the province’s police watchdog.
Liberals to face third test in federal byelection in British Columbia next month
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced voters in Cloverdale—Langley City will pick their next member of Parliament on Dec. 16.
Elon Musk exerts deepening influence on Donald Trump's presidential transition
Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago club has been brimming in the last 48 hours with two kinds of people: those angling for a job in the president-elect’s incoming administration, and those trying to influence him into hiring their picks for the top spots.
25 monkeys recovered after dozens escape in South Carolina. Others 'jumping back and forth' near research facility
Tenty-five of the 43 monkeys bred for medical research that escaped a compound in South Carolina have been recovered, officials said Sunday.
Abuse, harassment and suicide: Report finds anti-Black racism exists at highest levels of federal government
A government-funded report released to CTV News highlights 'systemic racism' against dozens of Black executives within the federal public service, including allegations of abuse, violence and harassment that, in some instances, led to suicide.