Flowering Tree

3200 block of South 15th Street
Led by Sr. Margaret Troy

Sr. Margaret Troy’s back yard garden in the 3200 block of South 15th Street is a sacred place. It’s the focus of a community gardening project called Flowering Tree.

In the summer of 2007, Sr. Margaret planted sacred mounds in her back yard with the three sisters: Corn, Beans, and Squash. But her community gardens covered a number of additional venues.

Flowering Tree also had a project in the back yard of the Congregation of the Great Spirit Church on 10th and Lapham. They held a Harvest Celebration there on October 27, where they “honored the Creator for the gifts of food, and the many blessings and accomplishments received in the Indian Community.”

Sr. Margaret and Flowering Tree also helped to start a project with elderly at Three Oaks – the HUD housing projects at 60th and Forest Home, in cooperation with Sisters of Saint Francis and the Indian Council for the Elderly (Oneida tribe). They also planted a Prayer Garden at Spirit Lake in Mequon. The project involves planting the sacred Mounds on a quadrant. This project has been ongoing for several years, and a family that lives close to the site works with Flowering Tree to maintain the garden.

Flowering Tree was incorporated in 2003, and achieved 501c.3 status in 2004. Initial members included Sr. Margaret Troy, Joyce Ninham and John Clifford. In 2005, Jack Kaguatosh and Bonnie Mayer joined the group. Candy Curry is a recent addition, as is a new networking person.

Gardening is a major focus of Flowering Tree, but it’s not the only focus. The ultimate goal is to incorporate Native American spirituality into education, and to instill an understanding of the earth as provider into community leaders.

Flowering Tree hopes to help nurture Native Americans, strengthening them so they can move into positions of leadership within spiritual and religious groups, educational institutions and other community organizations.

For further information, contact Sr. Margaret at