Who are the cattails?

Stories of Algonquin Anishinaabe Food Systems

Authors

  • Samantha Kaitlyn Patterson Queen's University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15353/cfs-rcea.v8i1.474

Keywords:

Algonquin, Indigenous, Ontology, Epistemology, Food systems

Abstract

This narrative illustrates my evolving ontological and epistemological relations with food systems on Algonquin territory as an Algonquin woman and a registered dietitian. As dietitians, we study the function of food within our human bodies, but do not think about the who behind our more-than-human food sources. Who are the living, diverse beings whom we consume (plants and animals included)? How do we take care of one another? Colonial and capitalist ways of relating to food have led us to objectify and devalue the beings we consume; can we embody relational and reciprocal ways of being to heal our damaged food systems? This narratives explores these questions using two stories and reflective work based on my own experiences on a medicine walk and spending time by the water. 

 

 

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Published

2021-04-22

How to Cite

Patterson, S. K. (2021). Who are the cattails? Stories of Algonquin Anishinaabe Food Systems. Canadian Food Studies La Revue Canadienne Des études Sur l’alimentation, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.15353/cfs-rcea.v8i1.474