Grassroot organization committed to food re-indigenization, Ancestral Food Ways is about restoring the spiritual, mental, and emotional wellness of the people and land. The Ancestral FoodWays Collective Society (AFW) is a grassroots organization that, over the last 4 years, established an Indigenous Food Fusion Kitchen and a Milpa System Garden during the establishment of Tent City at Strathcona P
ark. AFW operates in Downtown Eastside, and its impact extends beyond geographical boundaries, preserving ancestral knowledge and fostering a connection to the land. Rooted in the mission of passing knowledge to the coming 7 generations, AFW compiled from elders' teachings the Indigenous Food Relationship Framework. This comprehensive structure, consisting of four pillars—Biocultural Memory, Infrastructure for Traditional Cooking, Seeds of Knowledge, Health of soils and Sacred Territory—forms the backbone of AFW's commitment to cultural preservation and promotion of traditional food practices. Going beyond theoretical concepts, AFW's dedication to indigenous food sovereignty is a lived experience embedded in the daily practices of growing, harvesting, and preparing traditional foods. The society has cultivated a community network, mostly in Coast Salish Territories, fostering unity and a shared sense of purpose through advocacy and educational initiatives that unite communities. The youth cohort, once beneficiaries of AFW's initiatives, now stand as ambassadors of change, embodying resilience and strength derived from a profound connection to the land. Their stories intertwine with the plants in the garden, symbolizing a commitment to cultural preservation and environmental stewardship.
