Mînî Thnî Community School, serving middle and high school students, represents the highest level of education available within the Nation. As such, its garden and greenhouse play a vital role in skill-building, food sovereignty, and the creation of future job opportunities.
We have had the privilege of supporting this beautiful and important space for the past four years. As with the gardens at Chief Jacob Bearspaw and Nakoda Elementary Schools, we had secured funding to deliver the Eco-Guardians Youth Training and Mentorship program to train youth, build raised beds, and install thermal composters. These efforts are designed to close the loop on food systems and divert as much organic waste from the school as possible.
A key part of our work has been collaborating with the Foods program teacher to integrate garden and greenhouse produce into student learning. Last year, we cooked traditional three sisters' meals. Elizabeth had the opportunity to share her Mexican Indigenous culinary knowledge by teaching students how to make corn tortillas. It was a deeply fulfilling experience and a powerful way to connect with youth in a meaningful and joyful setting.
Testimonial
Stoney Nation Job Resource Center
Elizabeth Romo‑Rabago’s work with Ciclomanias and the Mini Thni Community Schools has been truly impactful. Her leadership in teaching foundational horticulture skills has inspired our youth to explore future pathways as botanists, ecologists, horticulturists, agronomists and landscape architects.
Ciclomanias integrates traditional knowledge with hands‑on learning, motivating students to reconnect with the land and their cultural identity.
The Stoney Nation Job Resource Centre partnered with Ciclomanias to launch the Eco‑Guardians Youth Training and Mentorship Program, which provided education, employment, and a safe, supportive work environment for youth throughout the summer. Participants gained experience in gardening, site maintenance, composting, and waste management, core components of the Eco‑Guardians initiative.
The 2025 Ciclomanias Eco‑Guardians summer work experience program was a great success, and we hope to see Elizabeth’s work continue. This mentorship opportunity is much needed in our community, and we look forward to building on the strong foundation created through this partnership.
Lionel Crow
Program Manager
Stoney Nation Job Resource Center
Vivian Mark
Last summer (2025), I worked with the Eco‑Guardians gardening program from late spring to early autumn. It was my first job ever, and being a gardener turned out to be an amazing experience. I learned so much, and I still carry the knowledge I gained from my boss, Ms. Elizabeth, who was always kind, patient, and supportive during my training. She even brought rhubarb muffins for me and my coworkers — something I’ll never forget.
Learning how to grow my own vegetables inspired me to start a garden at home, and I even helped my grandma begin hers too. Growing your own vegetables, fruits, and herbs feels healthier and more meaningful, especially knowing exactly where your food comes from and that it isn’t genetically modified or processed.
My time with the Eco‑Guardians is something I look back on with a lot of gratitude. It was an incredible first job experience, and I truly hope to be part of the program again this year.
Vivian Mark
Grade 11 student and Eco‑Guardian supporting Mînî Thnî Community School greenhouse and Nakoda Elementary School gardens.
Mînî Thnî Community School
“Elizabeth Romo-Rábago is a passionate educator whose work with Ciclomanias has had a lasting impact on our students and community. Over the past three years at Mînî Thnî Community School, she has delivered hands-on, culturally rooted environmental education that blends science with Traditional Ecological Knowledge. From teaching composting and zero waste practices to reviving the Three Sisters planting method, Elizabeth inspires youth to reconnect with the land and take pride in their cultural identity.
Most recently, she co-developed the Eco-Guardians Youth Training and Mentorship Program in partnership with the Stoney Nation Job Resource Centre and Stoney Trail Wellness Centre. Thanks to this initiative, our students now have paid summer positions in community gardens, gaining skills, confidence, and leadership as future land stewards. Elizabeth’s work is a model of what land-based, youth-centered education should be.”
Jamie Martin
Foods Program Teacher, Mînî Thnî Community School
Chelsea Roy
Elizabeth Romo-Rabago brings so much passion, knowledge, and enthusiasm to Ciclomanias' Eco-Guardians Youth Training and Mentorship Program. She is incredibly friendly and approachable, and our students genuinely love learning from her. Her enthusiasm for gardening and growing food inspires students to become curious about where their food comes from and excited to learn through hands-on experiences.
The summer mentorship program has been especially valuable for our school community. Each summer, participating students help care for the gardens at Mînî Thnî Community School and Nakoda Elementary School. Elizabeth provides them with guidance and mentorship while also giving them the independence to take responsibility for the gardens themselves. Students receive tasks to complete, carry out the work, and send Elizabeth photos and updates of their progress. This balance of mentorship and independence helps students build confidence, responsibility, and practical skills.
Another meaningful part of the program is that students are able to take home some of the vegetables they grow and share them with their families. This extends the experience beyond the school gardens and gives students an opportunity to share the results of their work with the people at home.
Elizabeth's passion for this work is evident in everything she does. Through Ciclomanias and the Eco-Guardians Program, she is creating meaningful opportunities for youth to learn practical skills, take pride in their work, and become more connected to food, gardening, and the land.
Chelsea Roy
Foods Teacher
Mînî Thnî Community School
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