Ha'mi'ksila Project - Let's Make Jam!

Welcome to the Ha'mi'ksila Project: Preserving Indigenous Food Traditions

At U’mista, we're thrilled to introduce the Ha'mi'ksila Project—an initiative centered around preserving and sharing traditional Indigenous food practices. In Kwak̓wala, Ha'mi'ksila translates to "cooking and preparing food", reflecting our commitment to fostering food security and sovereignty within our community.

Our Mission and Goals

The Ha'mi'ksila Project will offer quarterly seasonal classes on food preservation, aiming to reconnect generations through the wisdom of traditional food preservation techniques. By passing down these practices, we enhance social connectedness and strengthen our community's resilience. Our collaboration with the Youth Harvesting Program, K’wak’walat’si ('Na̱mg̱is) Child and Family Services-Community Pantry, and School District 85 underscores our dedication to spreading knowledge on food harvesting and preservation.

Impact and Outcomes

Through the Ha'mi'ksila Project, we strive to stock the pantries of K’wak’walat’si ('Na̱mg̱is) Child and Family Services-Community Pantry and the after-school program at Alert Bay Elementary. Participants engage in preserving fruits, vegetables, jams, and traditional Indigenous foods, ensuring food sovereignty and accessibility to fresh, preserved foods year-round.

Join Us for Jam-Making Workshops

Dates: July 24th and July 26th
Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: Bighouse Kitchen

Registration Details

To secure your spot (limited to 10 participants per session), please contact Ivy Peers at ivy.peers@umista.ca or via text at 604-906-0120. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable, dark clothes or an apron to protect against spills.

FAQs

Attire: Comfortable, dark clothing or an apron is recommended.
Jam Distribution: Participants will share in the jams made, divided between K’wak’walat’si ('Na̱mg̱is) Child and Family Services, Alert Bay Elementary School, and themselves based on attendance.
Children: School-age children are welcome to participate under the supervision of their parent(s) during jam preparation sessions.

In Collaboration with IHIP

The Ha'mi'ksila Project is proudly supported by the Indigenous Health Initiatives Program (IHIP), furthering our mission to preserve and promote Indigenous health and wellness through food sovereignty.

Join us as we preserve traditions, empower community, and celebrate Indigenous foodways through the Ha'mi'ksila Project. Together, we nourish our past, present, and future.