Earth Day 2020 – Food Security & Germinating Lemon Seeds

Oki, Tansi Niiksokwaiks,

With Earth Day fast approaching (April 22nd), I wanted to share a couple updates with you regarding the Kainai Ecosystem Protection Association and about food security.

Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 epidemic, the annual KEPA Summit has been cancelled for 2020. However, don’t worry! Our working group is currently discussing ways to keep the public interested in our work until 2021 when we can return to having our annual Summit. This is such a great event, so we hope that you will join us for it in 2021! Many people don’t know this, but I was part of the planning and event coordination in 2019, when we were able to bring a spotlight to food security in Kainai through our Planting Seeds in Napi’s Territory event. Here’s some photos from that time:

Anyways, I wanted to share a quick video on some seed germination I am doing. Here’s a project I first did back in 2018 – I started growing a lemon tree. Unfortunately, when I moved back to Alberta from BC, my little tree died off due to the cold and not getting enough water, but here is a picture of it’s happier times lol. It will take about 2-3 years for your little lemon tree to start growing fruit. Make sure you are re-potting the plant when it gets too big, but not too frequently, especially in the beginning stages:

If you are interested in starting this project with your kids, here’s a how to video – stay tuned for part 2 as well on YouTube. You can find us on YouTube by following the link on our home page or by searching Indigenous Busy-ness on YouTube:

Food security is a big topic right now, especially for First Nations Communities. It is important that we start to look at our own habits, and where we are sourcing our food from. The best way to become food secure is to learn to forage yourself, or to grow your own food. I know that once I started learning to grow my own food, things changed for me, and I will never look back! Ps – it’s almost berry season here in BC! Stay tuned for more food foraging blogs and vlogs :).

Kitakiitamaatsin (until next time),

Natoyihkii

Super Pink Moon 2020

Pink Moon, Vancouver, BC; Tuesday, April 7th, 2020. Squamish Lands.

 

Self Portraiture, Pt. 1

Photos mainly taken by myself and @rabbits_photos_portfolio – find him on Instagram. Destin R.Rabbit is helping me with my photo series “Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing” – look out for a longer blog post from us on how to get involved with the project. Some of these photos will be included in that series, but here’s a sneak peek of the ones of me.

PS – still seeking writers for my Identity Blog.

K thanks, bye: