Decolonizing Food Systems

How can advocacy be a practice of healing? Join us for this crucial conversation and discover the personal journey of Leona Brown, a Gitxsan and Nisga’a mother of three of the Fireweed House and Killerwhale Clan and thriving advocate of Indigenous food and resources in so-called Vancouver. Together we’ll explore Indigeneity in our food systems, the healing nature of advocacy work, and learn how to support Indigenous food practices on the lands and waterways we call home.

ABOUT FACILITATOR LEONA BROWN

Leona Brown: A Gitxsan and Nisga’a mother of three children, of the Fireweed House and Killerwhale Clan. I am an Indigenous Independent Cultural Facilitator. I gained three years of training in Land and Lives around Indigenous Culture with the Resurfacing History Program coordinated by Jolene Andrew.

This work has become my Healing Journey, the grassroots teachings and knowledge is shared with my children. This knowledge is important to know who we are and where we come from and how we live in with the Lands and Waterways around us.

As a Gitxsan Refugee in the unceded territories of Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh, I have been taking on land based work here in the city and thrive as a great ambassador to the work Resurfacing History has taught me around Indigenous food and resources that we harvest in the city.

I advocate at every opportunity with School Boards, City of Vancouver, and Vancouver Parks Board for all opportunities for Indigenous People to relearn our culture on the lands and waterways that we live on and actively talk of Reconciliation.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This event will take place on the unceded homelands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səlil̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and kʷikʷəƛw̓əm (Kwikwetlem) Nations. Unceded means that this land was never surrendered, transferred or relinquished in any way and, as such, the land remains sovereign Indigenous territory.

ACCESSIBILITY

Embark Sustainability events are free and open to Embark members which includes Simon Fraser University undergraduate and graduate students, as well as Embark Associate Members.

This event will be held indoors in the SFU Burnaby Bennett Library room 7200. Accessibility details to note include:

• The entrance doors to the Library are equipped with motion detectors to open automatically. The entrance to the library is on the third floor. All elevators in the library are wheelchair accessible.
• Wheelchair accessible washrooms are available on floors 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7. Not all the library’s washrooms are accessible; those that are accessible are marked with a wheelchair symbol on or beside the door.
• Gender neutral washrooms can be found on floors 1,4, and 7.
• We aim to host a scent-free space. Please refrain from wearing scented products in attendance of this event.
• Unfortunately, we cannot provide ASL interpretation at this time. However, we can provide a copy of the facilitator’s script.
• Sturdy, armless chairs will be available for those looking to sit during this event.
• Attendees are free to opt in and opt out of activities as suits their needs throughout the event, including exiting and re-entering the event space.

We aim to make our events accessible to as many of our community members as possible. If we can take further action to make this event accessible to you, or if you have any questions, please contact us at programs@embarksustainability.org.

COMMUNITY AGREEMENT

By registering to attend this event or events, you are agreeing to be respectful when listening to and communicating with others, and be mindful of the space you are taking up amongst your peers.

Embark Sustainability does not tolerate violence or aggression against others on the basis of race, ethnicity, place of origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, or ability. Please also refer to people using the introductions they provide and do not assume pronouns/gender/knowledge based on someone’s name or appearance.

If these agreements are broken by someone, we will have to ensure the safety of our community members by removing them from the event.