Food sovereignty on the menu at seed conference
At the end of the first day of Kahnawake Collective Impact (KCI)’s Seed Conference at the Knights of Columbus, Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) chief Stephen McComber stood in front of those in attendance and explained some of the ways that food sovereignty could be put into action in Kahnawake, as it has been in other Indigenous communities.
For example, as he held an oversized Boston Marrow squash, he said that he had been suggested some ideas for growing contests – for example, a giant pumpkin contest or an ugly tomato contest.
He also spoke of community farms and gardens, and canning factories to help out elders in need of food instead of relying on external food banks.
While these are disparate examples of food security measures, McComber brought forward these examples to show how steps big and small can contribute to bringing a culture of growing and having self-sustaining food sources in the community.
“We have to take responsibility and try to make these things happen, because if we don’t, we’re going to be in sad shape,” said McComber. “We have a lot of people that have an interest in these things, and they can happen. And not only can it happen, it has to happen. These are our ways.”
McComber once again co-organized this year’s Seed Conference with KCI.
Takariwaienhne McComber, KCI’s facilitator of food security, said that many of the panelists, guests, and seed companies present last weekend were contacts the MCK chief has made in the decades he has spent advocating for food security.
Some seeds were given out for free during the conference. Other seeds were sold by seed vendors from across Turtle Island. Courtesy Kahnwake Collective Impact
Takariwaienhne said that the conference was successful once again this year, with 150 participants over three days.
“I wish the whole community could come. There’s so much to learn, and there are so many great presenters,” said Takariwaienhne.
One of her personal favourite presentations of the weekend was the Ottawa-based company Growcer, who produces modular indoor growing facilities the size of shipping containers.
“You can grow things inside all year round. With climate change and everything going on, that would be something that we could use in Kahnawake,” she said.
Many presenters also brought more tactile and visual presentations, including a cornbread making demonstration from Archie Bomberry, and gardeners who brought the fruits – and vegetables – of their labour to show those in attendance.
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“We’re trying to incorporate more demonstrations to the conference, and not having just presentations where you look at a screen for two or three days,” said Takariwaienhne.
As Stephen stated during his closing remarks last Friday, the ultimate goal of the conference is to educate and help put in action what is learned during the three days at the Knights to better the community’s food security and depend less on outside sources.
“It helps to advance food security and sovereignty by bringing people together, giving the opportunity to ask questions to professional people in the field,” said Takariwaienhne.
“I feel like it was a good opportunity for education and to empower people to learn on their own, so they can take it back home and then teach their kids. That’s how the movement is going to grow and carry on.”
For those who were unable to attend the conference, KCI recorded it and will publish it in the coming weeks on their social media pages.
