Elders Series: How Food and Language Connect us to the Land
Event Details
Date & Time:
Wednesday, April 30th, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location:
Riverside space at 1350 Tzouhalem Road, Comiaken
Workshop Description:
Join us for a unique and immersive workshop, How Food and Language Connect Us to the Land, led by Indigenous Foods educator Jared / Qwustenuxun Williams. This engaging half-day experience will take participants on a journey to explore the deep connections between language, culture, and the land through the lens of traditional food practices.
During this riverside gathering, Qwustenuxun will share stories, knowledge, and insights about the Indigenous foods of the Cowichan territory, drawing from his lifelong learning with his late grandmother and over a decade of experience working in the culinary world. We’ll walk along the river, observe local food plants, and, if the right plants are available, even craft traditional tools like berry hooks or discuss the significance of Pi’qwun sticks.
This workshop offers a hands-on, reflective opportunity to consider how food security, language, and land stewardship intersect in Indigenous Food Systems — and what that means for all of us in the future.
What to Bring:
- Comfortable clothing for walking along the river
- A notebook if you’d like to jot down stories or observations
- A bag lunch, as the event runs through lunchtime
Who Should Attend:
This workshop is open to anyone interested in food, culture, language, and the land — from educators and environmentalists to families and food enthusiasts. All are welcome!
Capacity: 30–50 participants
About the Facilitator:
Qwustenuxun is a passionate Indigenous Foods educator who grew up immersed in Salish culture with his late grandmother. A trained chef with more than 13 years of experience cooking for Cowichan elders, Qwustenuxun now works as a consultant, writer, and public speaker for various universities, ministries, and health authorities. He recently presented at the UN World Food Forum in Rome, delivered a TEDx talk on the power of Indigenous Foods, and serves as the chair of the Indigenous Advisory Council to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. When he’s not advocating for Indigenous food sovereignty, Qwustenuxun spends time on his family’s small hobby farm in Cowichan.
Cost: TBA
Come walk along the river, listen to stories, and reconnect with the land through the foods, language, and teachings of the Cowichan people.
(Registration link coming soon)
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