NAN Applauds Launch of Good Food Program in Wapakeka First Nation

THUNDER BAY, ON: Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Deputy Grand Chief Terry Waboose applauds the recent launch of a food security program in Wapakeka First Nation that engages children and youth in land-based activities while increasing the community’s capacity for food security.

“This innovative program will help teach youth and other community members about hunting, trapping, preparing pelts and setting fish nets and promoting safety while harvesting food on the land,” said Deputy Grand Chief Terry Waboose. “The program will engage youth as mentors for younger children and incorporate the traditional language and culture of Wapakeka’s traditional territory.”

NAN was one of four Good Food Organizations to receive a $25,000 Child and Youth Innovation grant in August through Community Food Centres Canada’s Good Food Organizations program.

Funding will assist with instruction for teaching cooking, preparing and preserving traditional foods and provide hunting and trapping supplies. Activities are set to carry through to the fall of 2016 where a video documentation and story sharing will be developed and shared with other NAN communities, the NAN Kiitigaan Aski website and other Good Food Organizations.

The grant will help sustain the Wapakeka’s land-based activities and support much-needed children and youth in programming following the loss of the community’s school by fire earlier this year. NAN is working with potential long-term funding partners to allow First Nations to participate in the program.

“Research is demonstrating what we know intuitively from the healthy food after school programs taking place in our partner Community Food Centres: that it is critical to reach young people when they are still forming their tastes and attitudes around food,” says Kathryn Scharf, Community Food Centres Canada Chief Operational Officer. “There are so many organizations that are testing out innovative approaches to inspire kids. With these grants we are going to be able to help fuel these projects, look more closely at their impacts and make the information we learn available to others.”

Grantees were selected from 75 Good Food Organizations who have aligned themselves with the Community Food Centres Canada based on shared principles and who are working with low-income communities to grow, cook, share and advocate for access to healthy and nutritious food.

For more information please contact: Roxann Shapwaykeesic, Communications Officer – Nishnawbe Aski Nation (807) 625-4906 or cell (807) 251-6876 or by email rshapwaykeesic@nan.on.ca

Media inquiries: Christina Palassio, Director of Communications, Community Food Centres Canada 416 531 8826 ext. 229 or christina@cfccanada.ca

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