Food Sovereignty Director
Sarah Bélair-Bergman
The mission of the food sovereignty program at Yale First Nation is to create a resilient and self-reliant food system that honors traditions, ensures the well-being of its members, encourages active participation and skill development.
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Primary goals
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Self-Sufficiency: Building a self-sustaining food supply within the community to reduce dependency on external food sources.
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Nutritional security: Enhancing nutritional well-being by growing fresh, and healthy foods without the use of pesticides or synthetic fertilizers.
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Education and skills development: Promotion of knowledge and skills to grow, harvest and preserve the food grown.
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Medicinal Plant Workshops: With local knowledge holders to share knowledge and build skills in the identification, cultivation, and traditional uses of native medicinal plants.
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Yale First Nation Green House
Yale First Nation's first greenhouse is now in the early stages of development, a project three years in the making. This initiative aims to enhance food security for our YFN members and foster community spirit. Imagine being part of something that grows from the ground up, watching little seedlings flourish from start to finish. This greenhouse provides our members with the opportunity to cultivate their own seedlings, which can then be planted in the community gardens located in our two communities, Stullawheets off Highway 1 and Lukseetsissum off Highway 7. This project not only supports self-sufficiency but also brings our community together in a meaningful way.
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A Snapshot of Our 2024 Harvests
The vibrant produce nurtured within our greenhouse, from lush greens to ripening tomatoes.
Spinach
Beets
Not only did we harvest the Beets but we also enjoyed the fresh Beet greens!
Cucumbers
We grew over 550 lbs of cucumbers in 2024!
Tomatoes
We filled our greenhouse with 100 tomato plants!
Radishes
Over 900 radishes were consumed by our members!
Turnips
What We Grow & Recipes
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are not just a culinary delight; they are also packed with essential nutrients that contribute to your overall well-being. Let's delve into three key health benefits of tomatoes, and follow it up with three mouth watering recipes that celebrate the goodness of tomatoes.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers are not just a refreshing addition to your salads; they pack a punch when it comes to health benefits. Rich in nutrients, low in calories, and versatile in the kitchen, cucumbers are a must-have for anyone looking to enhance their well-being.
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Greenhouse Manager
Charmaine Anderson
Charmaine Anderson is Yale First Nation’s Greenhouse Manager. In this role, she is responsible for planning and managing greenhouse operations, including deciding which plants and vegetables are grown each season to best support community needs.
Charmaine oversees the care and maintenance of the greenhouse to ensure healthy and productive crops. She also coordinates the delivery of fresh vegetables to the community fridges located at the Stullawheets Community Centre and the Lukseetsissum Community Centre, helping increase access to fresh, locally grown food for community members.
Her work supports food security, sustainability, and community wellness across Yale First Nation.
For more information about the greenhouse program or community food supports, please contact the Yale First Nation office.
Greenhouse Assistant
Janice Hope
Janice Hope works as Yale First Nation’s Greenhouse Assistant. In this role, she works alongside the Greenhouse Manager to support daily greenhouse operations and the care of crops throughout the growing season.
Janice helps with planting, watering, maintaining, and harvesting vegetables to ensure healthy growth and successful yields. Her work supports the greenhouse program’s goal of providing fresh, locally grown vegetables for Yale First Nation community members.
Together with the greenhouse team, Janice plays an important role in supporting food security, sustainability, and community wellness.
For more information about the greenhouse program, please contact the Yale First Nation office.