Sustaining a Local-food Security Initiative in a Remote Subarctic Community: Engaging Canadian First Nation Youth in Agroforestry-Community Gardens

Abstract

AbstractFort Albany First Nation of sub-Arctic Ontario, Canada, in collaboration with the University of Waterloo, has begun implementing an agroforestry community gardens (AFCGs) initiative as an alternative to the existing, non-sustainable, expensive import-based food system. In addition, community members have recognized the potential importance of this initiative in contributing to the food security of future generations. Thus, adults have inquired as to how the youth may be included in the AFCGs initiative. This study engaged the youth of Fort Albany in the AFCGs initiative to gain insight into their perspectives on local food security. An environmental outreach camp has been run in the community for approximately eight years and was used as the vehicle for the engagement project. The overall goal was to engage the youth in local food issues, current import substitution efforts, and food security. Fifteen students participated in the camp. The outreach followed place-based teaching methods, as they are complementary to traditional pedagogies which emphasize activities that are hands-on and experiential. A web-based collaborative geomatics informatics tool developed in partnership with the community was used to directly involve youth in the AFCGs initiative. Each student was provided with a global positioning system and asked to take geo-referenced photographs related to local food security and import substitution. The photographs taken by the youth were used to elicit their perspectives on food security and import substitution and stored on the informatics tool where other community members could view them. The results of the outreach program will be used to develop a camp model for the community to help sustain youth involvement in local food security.