Community Development and Indigenous Food Sovereignty

https://www.nationalobserver.com/2023/06/14/news/tea-creek-farm-regenerates-soil-and-soul

There has never been a more exciting time for Food Sovereignty education and ecologically sustainable community development in indigenous communities in Canada. The trends in this area are on the up-and-up in both adult vocational settings but also in schools with children and youth. The field of teaching such skills in indigenous communities however, has only very recently gained attention, mainly due to the skyrocketing of supermarket food prices everywhere but more so in indigenous communities. Moreover, governments and philanthropic organizations have begun increasing their support for these initiatives which leaves a tremendous potential for growth.

The article I have posted focuses on Tea Creek Farms, owed by Jacob Beaton of the Gitsxan Nation. I was lucky enough to be in a webinar with Jacob and ask him a few question regarding the project. One of the major implications of how this field is changing will be that instructors and facilitators that previously worked at non-indigenous institutions or worked with a non-indigenous audience will, most likely in the first few years need to culturally adapt and learn about teaching skills in indigenous communities. While the hope is that eventually indigenous learners will take over these roles, it is possible that some communities will lean to instructors and facilitators from a wider audience.

While surfing social media, I encountered an organization based out of Victoria, B.C. that focuses on teaching indigenous perspectives to social workers. The organization “...delivers Indigenous Child and Family Services (ICFS) Training, on behalf of the B.C. Government Ministry of Child & Family Development for Indigenous Child and Family Serving Agencies throughout B.C.” (https://ipsociety.ca/about/). While unrelated to Food Sovereignty specifically, it demonstrates that there is an urgent need for re-education and training in fields relating to indigenous communities by workers that are indigenous themselves or have the proper orientation and cultural competency.

According to the article Tea creek’s 2022 impact report says that , “180 Indigenous people enrolled that year for training courses. More than 100 graduated from their course of study, and the cohort had gender parity. The farm offers classes in a wide range of topics related to agriculture and food, like regenerative growing techniques, safe food handling, small engine mechanics and carpentry.”

Additionally, the Government of BC has allocated $30.6 million to programs since 2018 for indigenous food sovereignty an security. It has also convened an advisory council called IACAF and provided more grant support through the New Relationship Trust. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/business-market-development/agricultural-trusts-and-councils/bc-indigenous-advisory-council-on-agriculture-and-food

Many other communities around BC and Canada are starting their own journeys into this wonderful field and what is important is that people like myself who have experience in the field, expand their knowledge base both in the practical and educational arena so that we can be prepared for work ahead. I definitely look to combine my experience in food and social services to create a positive, supportive, and empathic learning experience for those who I may help in the future.

For more info on Tea Creek visit their amazing website: https://www.teacreek.ca/

For info on Government initiatives towards indigenous food sovereignty visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023AF0047-001230