About TraditionaL Food Systems
The Flavour Trails Program occurs on the traditional territories of the SENĆOŦEN speaking BOḰEĆEN(Pauquachin), SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout), W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), W̱S͸KEM (Tseycum) communities, and the Lək̓wəŋən (Lekwungen) speaking Songhees and Xʷsepsəm (Esquimalt) nations. These nations have been sustainably growing and gathering food on this land since time immemorial, and we acknowledge the loss of traditional harvesting places, practices, and relationships as a result of the settler-colonial system under which we live, eat, and grow food every day.
It is imperative that we educate ourselves on the deeply harmful and ongoing role of colonal food systems on Indigenous Food Sovereignty, and engage respectfully and intentionally with the knowledge shared by Indigenous communities. Many food and nutrition resources misrepresent, miss, or ignore Indigenous worldviews, and we aim to amplify the work of our local partners.
As stated by the First Peoples Food Wellness Hub, "as we unlearn the legacies of colonization and learn from Indigenous perspectives, we carry the responsibility to move forward in new ways and gain a better understanding of Indigenous foodways that promotes the health and well-being of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people".
While exploring the Flavour Trails, we urge residents and visitors to take responsibility for their knowledge on Indigenous issues and traditional food systems. Below we have brought together some of the key resources developed by local nations.
For any concerns or inquiries regarding the information included on this page, please contact flavourtrails@crfair.ca.
W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council (WLC) Guide for settlers:
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Familiarize yourself with the WLC Press Policy, including suggested donations for media inquiries for information, quotes, and soundbites by community members.
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Learn about the W̱SÁNEĆ Lands Trust and how it helps future generations of W̱SÁNEĆ access land for cultural purposes and to positively impact the environment through W̱SÁNEĆ stewardship.
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Find out what Indigenous Territory you live and work on, and get information on how to properly create a territorial acknowledgement.
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Learn how to pronounce the names of the First Nations and the languages they speak.
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Choose some materials to work through from the suggested reading list to take the all-important step of being responsible for your own education on Indigenous issues. Learn about the culture of W̱SÁNEĆ people, the history of colonialism, and paths toward reconciliation.
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Consider making regular financial contributions to various local community organizations that can help provide W̱SÁNEĆ people with much-needed resources for education, athletics, and cultural initiatives.
Initiatives To Support:
Educational Resources:
Videos To Watch:
