Growing up in the Montreal Jewish community I noticed quickly that our gatherings were very centered around food. Each person would arrive for the evening with a dish to share. We spoke over each other and laughed as we passed the food around the table making sure every plate and heart was full. I learnt that food has an immense power to bring people together. Food is also important to me because I have always tried hard to eat healthy. When I started buying myself lunch in high school, I noticed the price difference between the healthy and unhealthy food options. I noticed this pattern not only within my life but the lives of others. Now as I study environment and social science, I realise that if communities can take more control over food production, and bring it closer to our homes, it would decrease pollution, and allow for more accessible culturally appropriate food. Doing the Kahnawake Food Sovereignty Leadership internship with Symbiosyn allowed me to pursue my interest in food security and sovereignty and bringing communities together to achieve sustainability.
My objective of this internship was to gain a deeper understanding of Indigenous knowledge. I was curious about how Indigenous communities near me relate to the land, to food, and to gardening and providing for families. I also wanted to become better acquainted with the functioning of a non-profit organization. Symbiosyn is focused on helping communities become self sufficient through cultural exchange and shared knowledge. Although my responsibilities changed drastically due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, I still felt very fulfilled by my task. I was responsible for teaching myself about gardening and creating a garden journal. I participated in group learning sessions about efficiently structuring and running a non-profit. Additionally, I was responsible for a literature review on Two Eyed Seeing, the concept of utilizing traditional Indigenous knowledge and scientific knowledge to approach a topic. This literature review will be used for hands on research of Two Eyed Seeing’s potential role in food sovereignty. I created a resource list of local indigenous scholars and a reading list on cultural sensitization of Kahnawake. Lastly, I was to review my internship and create a future summer schedule for all proceeding interns. One of the main highlights of my internship was my garden. The internship allowed me to take time to learn a skill I was hoping to learn for a while. It was extremely fulfilling to grow my own food and to be able to practice what I preach and share the fruit of my labour with my loved ones. As COVID cases go down it is our plan to share a harvest meal with our partners in Kahnawake. I am truly looking forward to our cultural exchange over food and discussing what I have learnt.
I did not receive any credit for this internship. However, I hope to be able to use much of my research and newly gained knowledge in honours research in my U3 year. Additionally, Symbiosyn invited me to continue working with them through the semester and have offered to slowly prepare me for a leadership role in their grassroots organization.
When I decided to pursue my passions in my studies, I was quite worried it would be difficult to find a career. The funding I received from this internship helped me afford supplies for my garden and books for my literature review, but it also helped me afford being able to not work a part time job this summer, allowing me to focus on this internship. Not only did I gain valuable work experience, but I feel as if I have been able take my first major steps in my career. I feel reassured that not only is their work out there that suits my passions, but that I am well suited for it. I also feel encouraged to continue pursuing education and work in food sovereignty in Indigenous communities and my own. Additionally, I have been able to jump-start my honours research project.
I worked the entire internship from my parent’s backyard and seated outdoors at my local cafe. It helped to have a tidy and peaceful workspace and to try to mimic a classic morning routine to prepare for a day of concentration. As a break from reading and writing I was able to tend to my garden and give my eyes a rest from the screen. I enjoyed doing this work from home. Because I was learning about the importance of land, home and community from a different culture it helped change the way I related to my own space.
Carol and Lloyd Darlington, thank you for funding my ability to do this. Not only will it help Symbiosyn help the community in Kahnawake create sustainable and culturally appropriate food systems, but it also has had an immense impact on my life.
