Moving Your Body, Soul, and Heart to Share and Harvest Food

Food Systems Education for Youth and Indigenous Food Sovereignty in Garden Hill First Nation, Manitoba

Authors

  • Kaylee Michnik University of Manitoba
  • Shirley Thompson University of Manitoba
  • Byron Beardy Four Arrows Regional Health Authority

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15353/cfs-rcea.v8i2.446

Keywords:

Indigenous food sovereignty, Indigenous education, First Nations Youth, Food system education

Abstract

Colonialism, and its partner, racism, greatly impact Indigenous food systems across Canada elevating the rates of diet-related diseases and food insecurity. Many Indigenous communities have responded to these challenges with their own community-based, culturally appropriate food solutions, including local food production. This participatory research explores the question of traditional food education for First Nations youth through photo elicitation with five young adults employed on a community farm and interviews with twelve Elders, community food educators and Knowledge Keepers. This research provides the building blocks for food education to support a community-based, Indigenous food system and sovereignty, informed by Garden Hill First Nation Elders and youth. Interviews and participatory research established that food education should be rooted in traditional and spiritual beliefs, land-based learning and self-determination, and food policies and programs need to assess the use of technology, financial sustainability, and promote gender balance. Community desires for food education closely match the tenets of Indigenous food sovereignty. This research shows the importance of developing Indigenous food education programs that are community-based and applied.

Author Biographies

Kaylee Michnik, University of Manitoba

PhD Student, Community Health and Epidemiology, University of Saskatchewan 
Registered Dietitian

Shirley Thompson, University of Manitoba

Associate Professor
Natural Resources Institute
University of Manitoba

Byron Beardy, Four Arrows Regional Health Authority

Program Manager Kimeechiminan 

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Published

2021-08-05

How to Cite

Michnik, K., Thompson, S., & Beardy, B. (2021). Moving Your Body, Soul, and Heart to Share and Harvest Food: Food Systems Education for Youth and Indigenous Food Sovereignty in Garden Hill First Nation, Manitoba. Canadian Food Studies La Revue Canadienne Des études Sur l’alimentation, 8(2). https://doi.org/10.15353/cfs-rcea.v8i2.446