T'Souke First Nation Feast Aug 23, 2010

On August 23rd 2010 the T’Sou-ke First Nation invited many to join them in a day to celebrate the many gifts of their Territory. The day was to engage the youth and young people around their food, land and culture. Leader and passionate food champion Christine George organized the day with great joy and expertise. The day began with a welcome and prayer by Elders Shirley Alphonse and Linda Bristol. They settled us all together and helped us give thanks to Mother Earth and the Creator for the gifts of the food.

The day focused on hands on learning. All the participants we separated into gathering groups and set out to gather mussels, rockstickers, stickshoes and dig for clams. The food was scraped and cleaned and the food was boiled in some of the clam juice. We also made a delicious clam chowder on the beach. John was busy with the freshly caught salmon from Joe. John then lightly smoked and then BBQ'd the fish. It was the best fish we have ever had. We were also treated to freshly picked berry salad and fruit salad. Delicious.

Tsawout Seafood Festival 2010

Seafood Festival June 12, 2010

The Tsawout First Nation Seafood Festival is an annual event held at Tsawout on the Saanich Peninsula. The event was located on TIXEN, which is also known as Cordova Spit. The event was a day of education on seafood, and learning the importance of harvesting these foods so they can be incorporated into our daily diet.

This year’s event took place on June 12th 2010, from 11:00am – 3:00 pm. The day was filled with cultural activities including the first salmon ceremony and traditional pit cooking. We will also have information booths set up for the day’s participants, which will include the Goldstream Hatchery, RCMP, Feasting for Change, Diabetes Team, Parks Canada, Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, World Fisheries Trust/Seachange (Sea life Touch Tank) and the University of Victoria to name a few.

Delicious Sea Urchins away the crowds of passionate eaters.

Over 1200 people attended the event and feasting on BBQ salmon, prawns, crabs, clam chowder, mussels, sea urchins, baked bread, corn, potatoes and much more.

Nancy Turner hunting for greens for the pit.

Earl Claxton Jr sharing his tools and resources.

The Real FAST food - fresh fruits to go!

Cooking and cleaning crab!

BBQ fish.

Pit cooking experts and friends Belinda Claxton and Nancy Turner.

Putting the pit together!

Herman Underwood teaching his fish cleaning skills.

Roberta Pelkey sharing her weaving expertise as she makes the top of a cedar hat.

The Salmon Ceremony lead by the Pelkey Family.

The Feasting For Change Youth Sandy and Kat with their mentor Jen!

Opening the pit - the Oysters are ready!

Collecting the delicious food out of the pit.

It was again an amazing event. We all hold our hands up to Dan Claxton and the Tsawout First Nation Community for creating an event that highlight the importance of the traditional foods, the waterways and lands that provide them. Their dedication to creating an day that bridges the outside communities members, agencies and resources together is essential to creating sustainable solutions to healthy food, land and culture.

Scianew Feast June 5th, 2010

It was a glorious day in Scianew First Nation for the 2nd Annual Feasting For Change Event. The table was set highlighting the many knowledgable and skilled community members who make this beautiful community their home.

Evelyn and Isabelle are passionate community leaders who wanted to provide the youth with a day to connect and see the knowledge and experience that exists in their community.

The day was a casual with tables and interactive demonstrations. Below are some pictures highlighting the day.

Some of the Elders supporting the day and sharing with the youth. Thank you Lee, Burt and Anna.

Thanks to Evelyn and Henry we had some samples of some delicious foods. Roe, Crabs, Mussels and Clams. Delicious!

Tina and Isabelle sharing their new creation the COB Oven. Everyone got to make their own homemade pizza.

Having a snack!

The youth looking at all the history of their community. Evelyn brought archive pictures, many documents and history of the community. The youth were so interested in how the community used to look and how their ancestors used to use and access the land. By Canoe! Maps also showed the territorial lines along with modern day maps.

Earl Claxton Jr and Lewis Williams from Tsawout came out and shared their teachings as well. Lewis took 14 youth on a nature walk and Earl set up a cooking station for all the traditional food.

Darryl Barker making his famous bannock. He shared his baking skills with all of us. It was delicious.

Tina showing the youth how the cob over works and getting ready to cook the personal pizzas.

Narcess sharing his carvings. Amazing work!

Lewis getting ready to take the youth on a plant identification walk. Tina working hard getting the oven hot enough.

Isabelle and Eve sharing their knitting skills.

Many of Henry's Carving and Basket Grass from Jordan River. The many uses of Cedar and Grass used for art and ceremonial masks and Regalia.

Cedar Weaving - preparing the cedar after it has been stripped from the tree.

Henry and Earl getting the fire ready to smoke the food and bake the fish.

Preparing the fire and food.

Henry getting the fish ready.

Youth helping earl with the fire and digging a small pit.

The knitting station.

Some of Scianew history. Thanks to Evelyn for sharing all her great research and archives.

Youth learning more about where they have come from and the history of their home.

The beautiful Cob oven.

The purpose of the day was to have each community member set up an interactive display showcasing their knowledge, skills and abilities. Over 50 Adults, youth and children shared stories, skills and their passions.

The pictures above only capture some of the beautiful people and stories that were shared. We thank everyone for their time, knowledge, experience and resources.