History of the conference
We are just celebrating our 6 th Annual Traditional Foods Conference jointly hosted by VICCIFN and Cowichan Tribes. Our Year 1&2 were hosted by the Snuneymuxw First Nation and Vancouver Island University. Year 3 was hosted by Tsawout First Nation and the University of Victoria. The 4th year by both Cape Mudge, Campbell River First Nations and the Kwagiutl District Council Health and last year in Nuu-chah-nulth Territory and the Tseshaht First Nation and NTC.
The beginnings of the conference arose from research around traditional seafood contaminants done by Dr. Peter Ross (eco-toxicologist with Fisheries and Oceans Canada) and Tom Child (graduate UVIc student and
The conference has always focused on 4 pillars –nutrition, healing, safety and community. This past year the theme is “FEEDING OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS.” This year in Cowichan we are celebrating the local knowledge in the territory and focusing discussion on the importance of Salmon.
We are very excited to provide a space to promote and encourage traditional foods and food practices. Many community events have been sparked by past conferences and we have had positive feedback year after year. What makes this conference different is the community involvement and the second day being held directly within a community.