The past several years has been challenging for Indigenous peoples in British Columbia (BC) who have seen the devastating dual effects of the pandemic and a changing climate. In particular, the social consequences to communities adapting to these changes have been severe, despite the resilience these communities have shown in the face of adversity.
A new report by the FNHA's Environmental Public Health Services (EPHS), entitled Social Consequences of COVID-19 and Climate Change on Indigenous Food Security and Food Sovereignty: Stories of lived experiences in salmon country, shares the authentic voices of three Indigenous writers, each with unique perspectives.
Braden Etzerza from Ts'msyen territory, Jared Qwustenuxun Williams from the Quw'utsun territory, and Dawn Morrison from the extended family members of the Lakes Secwepemc (Adams Lake, Neskonlith and Little Shuswap Bands) share their rich perspectives and lived experiences regarding Indigenous food security and food sovereignty in the context of COVID-19 and climate change.
All three writers share how the global pandemic and climate change are dual crises that worsened pre-existing social crises experienced by Indigenous peoples. Settler-colonialism has already disproportionately impacted food security and food sovereignty, whether that means buying foods from a store (e.g., “market foods" and “barcode foods") or harvesting them from the lands and waters through subsistence hunting, fishing, farming, gardening and gathering.
This report delves into not just the recent impacts of the pandemic and a changing climate's effects on food, but also the historical and ongoing consequences of colonialism on Indigenous food systems, food security and food sovereignty.
As a culturally informed approach, the report uses the metaphor of the wild salmon moving across the territories in what is colonially known as BC. This metaphor is used to convey notions and insights into the tough experiences and resilience shown by both urban and rural communities. Food Systems planning from an Indigenous perspective considers future generations – planning for those yet to come. Like the salmon, communities continue to navigate their way upstream for more opportunities to reclaim and revitalize Indigenous food systems.
Indigenous communities continue to show resilience by connecting to culture and family through their mothers, grandmothers, and traditional caregivers in their community and reconnecting to the lands around them. Working with nature and using land-based approaches to overcome social crises continues to be a strength of Indigenous peoples. Centering relationship building and land-based practices helps to break down colonial barriers and allows for traditional knowledge and wisdom to be passed on to future generations. When COVID-19 or climate changes cause food scarcity in the market economy, Indigenous food systems become more important and significant.
Read the report here: https://www.fnha.ca/Documents/FNHA-Social-Consequences-of-COVID-19-and-Climate-Change-on-Indigenous-Food-Security.pdf
Learn more about how the FNHA works with communities to promote environmental health and protection, and respond to emergencies.
