Indigenous Foodlands Conservation Areas

The Indigenous Foodlands Conservation Areas Project will conduct participatory action research with Elders, Indigenous knowledge holders and Indigenous law/governance experts to support the BC Working Group on Indigenous Food Sovereignty and the IISAK OLAM Foundation in the process of mapping out and advocating for Indigenous Foodland Conservation Areas in Neskonlith Secwepemc territory.

In the Neskonlith Secwepemc territory, the project will appreciate and inquire into the integrative strategies and conservation methods of traditional harvesters (Indigenous hunters, fishers, farmers and gatherers) in relation to some of the last remaining fragments of biodiversity and cultural heritage in Interior Salish territories. The project team will also develop and deliver training and infrastructure for a network of Secwepemc hunters to conduct environmental monitoring of the migration corridors of Elk, wild salmon, and other culturally important animals. The project is based on a decolonizing food system framework that will outline a matrix of key conditions necessary for having the rights of Indigenous hunters, fishers, farmers and gatherers recognized in decision making matters impacting the hunting, fishing and gathering corridors that transcend political boundaries and privatized plots of agricultural land.

Faculty Supervisor:

Hannah Wittman

Student:

Partner:

IISAAK OLAM Foundation;Kamloops Food Policy Council

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Information and cultural industries; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: