Tackling Food Insecurity

Systemic policies have led to cultural practices, sacred connections to the land, and traditional ways of living and knowing to be lost. This disruption can be linked to many of the issues that continue to plague Indigenous communities today, such as food insecurity, identity disconnect, and loss of community resilience and pride. Children remain the most impacted, having never experienced foundational land-based practices such as fishing or accessing fresh water. 

This is especially true for many Dene, Cree, and Métis in the remote Turnor Lake and Birch Narrows communities. Their small population of under one thousand, with half under the age of 25, are experiencing the lingering effects of colonization in a very real way. With traditional hunting and foraging practices disrupted by development and mining, and a single grocery store with one access road, the community faces ongoing food scarcity. Turnor Lake & Birch Narrows Community Food Centre (TLBNCFC) is tackling this issue head-on by introducing the Food Security and Cultural Revitalization project. This land-based learning initiative for children, youth, and families will be guided by Elders and Knowledge Keepers. It will include cultural teachings, family cooking initiatives, craft-making, and community feasts, all designed to rebuild relationships with the land, language, and traditional food systems. 

The Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF) is providing funding over a 12-month period to build on years of TLBNCFC’s successful programming. Its new initiative will educate participants about medicinal plants and traditional practices, while strengthening intergenerational connections. As a leader in land-based initiatives in Northern Saskatchewan and part of a national network of Community Food Centres, the organization has a strong track record of delivering impactful programs. 

Diocese of Saskatoon