December 2nd, 2021 – Nourishing Community Wellness: Stories of Learning, Connecting and Healing Through Food

Jessie Newman

Rachel Dickens

My name is Rachel and I am of mixed ancestry including East-Asian on my mothers’ side and a member of the Lax Kw’alaams Band on my fathers’ side. The name Lax Kw’alaams is derived from Laxłgu’alaams, which means place of the small roses. I was born and raised in Prince Rupert, 30km from Lax Kw’alaams by boat. I now have the privilege of living and working on the unceded and ancestral homelands of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, colonially known as Tofino. I work alongside the Nuu-chah-nulth Peoples as a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator and am currently employed by the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council. I recognize that diabetes was rare in Indigenous communities prior to the 1940s, and that the loss of land, legacy of residential schools, displacement, trauma, and racist policies have contributed to the disproportionate representation of diabetes in Indigenous communities. As an advocate for food sovereignty and social justice, I hope to raise awareness around and dismantle some of the colonial and anti-Indigenous racist policies that impact Indigenous peoples’ access to traditional foods. Traditional foods not only provide nourishment for the body, but also for the mind and spirit through the harvesting and gathering, and connection to culture. Reclaiming traditional foods and practices as an integral part of the Indigenous food sovereignty movement, which embraces identity and history, sovereignty, traditional ways, and cultural practices. Increasing access to these original foods is key to health promotion, wellness, and chronic disease prevention including type 2 diabetes.

Fiona Devereaux

Good day, I am Fiona, white settler of Irish ancestry. I am a daughter, sister, auntie and friend. My parents immigrated to Treaty 6 territory: homelands of Cree, Michif Piyii (Métis), Niitsítpiis-stahkoii ᖹᐟᒧᐧᐨᑯᐧ ᓴᐦᖾᐟ (Blackfoot/Niitsítapi ᖹᐟᒧᐧᒣᑯ), and Očhéthi Šakówiŋ (Saskatoon). I occupy and benefit off unceded Coast Salish homelands of Ləkʷəŋən Speaking Peoples of Songhees (Ləkʷəŋən) and Esquimalt (Xwepsum) Nations. Before, Canada, BC and Victoria were formed, this place was known as Metulia (Ləkʷəŋən). Ləkʷəŋən means ‘a place to smoke herring.’ I picture the vast amounts of herring being smoked and preserved.   These lands and the environment are foundational to wellbeing. Healthy lands, healthy peoples.

Each day I acknowledge this deep connection and advocacy for the lands, waters and forests. In this, I must bring forward the vast colonial policies that has impacted and shaped the lives of the all Indigenous families here on the island. I commit to learning more, listening deeply, reflecting on my power and privilege. I will continue to take steps to dismantle and disrupt racism within the society. I hope to build relationships with others who want to reflect on our collective responsibility to address these inequities and working towards social justice.

I have been honoured to have a long career working as a dietitianalongside Coast Salish, Kwakwaka’wakw and Nuu-chah-nulth communities. I am a life long learner and have completed two apprenticeships in Herbal Medicines and am currently completing an MSc Social Dimensions of Health on Indigenous Specific Racism. I spend my time with family, friends, hiking, camping, gardening and learning about the plants.

Slán tamall  (Goodbye for now) –Gaeilge (Irish Language)