Thank you for joining us on Thursday, December 12th, 2024, from 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM (PST), for “We Are What We Eat: Digesting the Merits of Indigenous Food Systems & Sovereignty.” In this Indigenous Speakers Series session, we had a conversation with Jared Williams – Qwustenuxun, an Indigenous foods educator, writer, and consultant from Quw’utsun (Cowichan Tribes) and a Hul’q’umi’num Language Vlogger. Qwustenuxun won several Canadian Online Publishing Awards, gave a TEDx talk on the power of Indigenous foods, and presented at the UN World Food Forum in Rome. In this session, we discussed Indigenous food sovereignty and security.
Speaker Bio
Jared Williams – Qwustenuxun,
Indigenous Foods Educator, Writer & Consultant,
Hul’q’umi’num Language Vlogger,
Special Interlocutor on Indigenous Food Systems | UN World Food Forum, Rome, Italy, 2024,
TEDx Talks | The Power of Indigenous Foods
Qwustenuxun is a passionate Indigenous foods educator who spent his youth immersed in Salish culture. After graduating from culinary arts, he spent over a decade working in restaurants before moving back home to Quw’utsun to take on the role of Elder’s Kitchen Manager. Now, after more than 13 years of cooking for his Elders, Qwustenuxun works as an Indigenous foods educator, writer, and consultant for various universities, ministries, and health authorities. Most recently, Qwustenuxun won several Canadian Online Publishing Awards, gave a TEDx talk on the power of Indigenous foods, and presented at the UN World Food Forum in Rome. When he is not working on furthering Indigenous food sovereignty, Qwustenuxun spends much of his time with his wife and children on their small hobby farm in Quw’utsun.
Moderator
Derek K Thompson – Čaabať Bookwilla | Suhiltun, Director, Indigenous Engagement
Description
Written by Derek K Thompson – Čaabať Bookwilla | Suhiltun
What we put into our bodies is often overlooked, and hidden in plain sight is that First Nations’ overall health status continues to be a daunting concern, especially in relation to chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes. Also hidden in plain sight is the urgency to improve the balance of a healthier diet and lifestyle for Indigenous peoples and the need to secure our own sense of sovereignty over our cultural food systems.
Qwustenuxun has been actively and tirelessly advocating for the need and urgency to decolonize and Indigenize colonial systems that have, for better or worse, instilled an individual and collective apathy and uncertainty when it comes to our overall health. He has been called upon to inform health systems, health forums, and health organizations on how to best approach and educate health professionals about Indigenous food systems. His knowledge comes from a strong lineage of Ancestors, and he channels this awareness in an effort to transform the way we think about Indigenous food sovereignty and security.
Please join me for this important and timely conversation with Chef Jared Williams—Qwustenuxun, and bring your favourite, healthy lunch!
Topic: We Are What We Eat: Digesting the Merits of Indigenous Food Systems & Sovereignty
Date: Thursday, December 12th, 2024
Time: 12:00 – 1:30 PM (PST)
What Will I Learn?
You will gain insight into a unique perspective on Indigenous food sovereignty and security.
Continue Learning
“The time to make things happen is now. The time to seek out our individual and shared power is now.”
Learn more about REDI’s Indigenous Initiatives here
Discover more about REDI’s Indigenous Initiatives Speakers Series here
Find REDI’s Indigenous-Specific Resources here