The Ahousaht First Nation's Traditional Food Gathering event will unite 14 Nuu-chah-nulth Nations and other rural Vancouver Island communities to improve food sovereignty, share traditional knowledge, and celebrate cultural heritage.
The Ahousaht First Nation will host a major convening, in March 2024, to address vital food sovereignty and security opportunities.
We invest in a wide range of initiatives to create positive economic growth and strengthen wellbeing. Every project is assessed for its contributions across four bottom lines that contribute to wellbeing: Economic Prosperity, Social Empowerment, Environmental Sustainability, and Cultural Vitality.
The Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations Traditional Food Gathering Event will contribute in various ways, including:
Economic Prosperity: The event strives to establish and implement a comprehensive and sustainable strategy to advance food sovereignty for 14 Nuu-chah-Nulth First Nations. Local businesses, artisans, and food producers will also embrace in-person to discuss collaboration opportunities and share strategies.
Cultural Vitality: The event aims to facilitate First Nation leadership to establish and implement comprehensive and sustainable strategies to advance food sovereignty in their communities.
Social Empowerment: Designed as an immersive experience, event participants will have the opportunity to learn traditional skills, culinary expertise, and sustainable agricultural practices.
“Indigenous food security and sovereignty is an important factor of the overall health and wellbeing of our people. Our connection to the surrounding lands and waters is a vital component of our cultural identity and our ability to survive and thrive as a people. Ahousaht is pleased to host the Island Indigenous foods Gathering 2024 to support the ongoing healing and nurturing qualities that our foods systems and practices have to offer.” – Chief n̓aasʔałuk, John Rampanen, Ahousaht First Nation
“The re-establishment of traditional food sovereignty and security for First Nations is such an important part of our work in reconciliation. By supporting this traditional food gathering, the Trust will help hundreds more Indigenous people get the tools they need to empower their communities with access to traditional and nutritious food.” – Josie Osborne, MLA for Mid Island-Pacific Rim
“We are excited to invest in the Ahousaht First Nation as they establish this event. This initiative shows their leadership in establishing vital food sovereignty through economic development opportunities and traditional knowledge sharing that will benefit First Nations communities across Vancouver Island.” – Aaron Stone, Chair, Island Coastal Economic Trust.
We work in reciprocal relationships with coastal communities across the ancestral territories of the Kwak̓wala, Nuučaan̓uɫ, Éy7á7juuthem, Ligwilda'xw, Pəntl'áč, She shashishalhem, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Hul’q’umi’num’, diitiidʔaatx̣, SENĆOŦEN, Lekwungen, and T’Sou-ke speaking peoples.
