With some community members facing food insecurity, Waswanipi recently established a working group to coordinate nutrition initiatives from various organizations and develop collaborative solutions.
“Doctors from our CMC [clinic] reported to me that we have members who have no food,” said Chief Irene Neeposh. “That hits hard. You know how the universe provides? Other people joined that meeting with the doctor and they formed a local working group on food security.”
Food security is a problem in many northern Indigenous communities, with short growing seasons and limited infrastructure compounded by colonial policies that have created a reliance on expensive and inefficient grocery supply chains. Rising food and fuel prices have made the situation even more challenging.
“We’re far too dependent on imported goods,” asserted Neeposh. “People in poverty conditions have to decide about gas prices if they have access to a vehicle or being forced to buy in bulk and reducing what they buy in fresh foods. Hence, we aggravate the health conditions.”
With the local grocery store offering only a small fridge of costly fresh produce, Neeposh asked the Cree Nation Government to investigate a potential food distribution monopoly and explore supply chain alternatives. Nutrition deficiencies contribute to diabetes, hypertension and other health issues.
“In treating chronic illnesses, our concern is that not everyone has access to basic nutritious foods, especially if there are no hunters or trappers in the household,” explained Dr. Fhameeda Adam. “The rest of the medicine is built on that foundation. We’re gathering information to see what’s already been done and what projects might need support to continue.”
At the CNG’s recent CONNECT Leadership Forum, leaders discussing food security, addictions and youth violence. Grand Chief Paul John Murdoch was impressed by Chiefs’ commitment to making sacrifices now that may only see results in 15 years.
“It’s not just a question of not having enough food,” said Murdoch. “There are economic development issues at the bottom of it. We need to create jobs without harming our identity and be more targeted in how we help people. There’s a stigma with offering and asking for help that we need to change.”
Waswanipi’s working group includes public health officer Lianne Wabanonik, health board organizer Edith Gull, nutritionist Cheryse Houndonougbo, Miyupimaatisiiun coordinator Melanie Neeposh and wellness worker Helen Porada. Neeposh hopes to add representation from the Cree Trappers’ Association and the Pentecostal church, which runs a local food bank.
Neeposh is aiming to secure the sustainability of recently launched food-related projects and develop a local food pantry. A large greenhouse proposed by previous leadership was deemed excessive for Waswanipi’s needs, but simpler greenhouses will expand a community garden initiated last summer.
“We purchased two long greenhouses I already have in my garage, made to withstand our winters,” said project leader Frances Roy. “We had a cold summer last year and our tomatoes always took a hit from the frost. Once the greenhouses come up, the garden is going to flourish.”
After proposing the project to Neeposh in 2023, Roy said they broke ground last year despite delays in funding and confirming the garden’s location. By summer’s end, she and volunteers successfully harvested a variety of vegetables and herbs.
Having already grown lettuce, peppers and berries, Roy looks forward to collecting apples, pears, plums, cherries and grapes from new fruit trees. While community members ask for potatoes, carrots and onions, Roy said they’re also focused on creating a medicinal garden and encouraging a more diverse vegetable diet.
“It’s my passion to show people you can grow and preserve your own produce,” Roy said. “You don’t just eat tomatoes in a salad. You can make spaghetti sauce and make it shelf stable by canning it. I also wanted to show the Elders how to incorporate vegetables into their meals.”
The garden is already a gathering place, with children amazed that food can grow there and Elders sharing stories from the old post. Chief Neeposh was delighted to have young volunteers deliver fresh veggies to her door. This summer, some Elders will have gardens installed at their cabins.
Roy envisions expanding the project to include year-round preservation, seeding and education activities. Eventually she’d like to see gardens throughout the community, grow towers for the winter months, hydroponics at the schools and a à space that includes orchards, compost piles and even chickens.
“I was recently told there was no funding for this year’s garden, which is really sad because a garden takes years,” shared Roy. “I’ve been applying for grant, but if I have to, I will do it for free because that’s how much I want this to work out.”
Waswanipi is also working on a fish-canning initiative with Université Laval that could align with a pilot project to develop new revenues for Cree trappers on the income security program (ISP). Recognizing that the program provides insufficient compensation, this project would identify markets for land-based activities like cutting wood, setting snares and netting fish.
“If they put up a fish net, we could buy their fish under the fish-canning project,” suggested Neeposh. “The ISP’s purpose is wonderful, but it’s outdated, forcing our masters of traditional knowledge to live in poverty conditions. Providing them access to a market could make them at least double what they make.”
While Breakfast Club Canada approached Waswanipi about the possibility of mass-producing traditional food for children in all Cree schools, Neeposh said that they’re not getting ahead of themselves. A more likely prospect for advancing food sovereignty is partnering with neighbouring towns to exchange goods.
“I’m in talks with Chapais so if we grow strawberries they grow raspberries,” explained Neeposh. “The sustainability of these projects is key. There is local interest to diversify what we eat – why not a cooking workshop on how you can use each vegetable?