Greenways Land Trust is based in Campbell River, BC, on the traditional territories of the Liǧʷiɫdax̌ʷ peoples: the Wei Wai Kum, We Wai Kai and Kwiakah First Nations. Our neighbours, the Xwémalhkwu, Tlowitsis and K’ómoks Nations, also have close connections to these lands.As the Island Health Food Hub for the Strathcona Regional District, Greenways has the privilege of working on several other Coast Salish, Kwakwaka’waka and Nuu-chah-nulth territories. We acknowledge these territories and the traditional knowledge and guidance provided by First Nations that are so important for learning to live lightly on these lands and waters.
Greenways Land Trust has developed the Strathcona Food Network, a grassroots network aiming to foster a Healthy Food System throughout the communities of the Strathcona Regional District.
In their role as the Food Hub for the Strathcona Region, Greenways has supported networking between the rural and remote communities to share local solutions to barriers to food access, supported Campbell River’s first Seedy Sunday event, supported the development of community gardens in Campbell River, provided input to public consultations on policy development supportive of urban agriculture in Campbell River, and researched barriers to access to local seafood in rural and remote communities in a report titled Boat to Table.
Hub Lead: Strathcona Food Network
Prior to joining Greenways Land Trust as Executive Director, Cynthia was the project lead for the Strathcona Food Security Project that carried out community-based research on food security in the Strathcona Regional District.
Within the Hub Collective, Cynthia brings expertise in biology and environmental decision making, focusing on projects which intermingle sustainable land use and the provision of wild food.
Cynthia brings over 10 years of experience in nature reserve management and community engagement to her roles within the community.
greenways@greenwaystrust.ca.Jessie is from the Gak’yaals Kiigaway (clan) of K’uuna (Skedans) and a member of the Haida Nation. She is Haida on her maternal side and Heiltsuk and Kwakwaka’wakw on her paternal side. She grew up in Hlgaagilda (Skidegate) and W̓áláqvḷa (Bella Bella), and comes from two fishing families. She was fortunate to have access to many of her ancestral foods in her youth and has always loved how they bring family and community together.
Jessie completed her Dietetics degree from UBC in 2015 and currently holds the position of Indigenous Health Dietitian with Island Health, working with North Island communities towards achieving their wellness goals. This includes supporting Nations in their food sovereignty/security initiatives, as well as diabetes prevention and management. She also supports the work of the North Island food hubs by participating in food roundtables and creating space for meaningful collaboration with local Indigenous communities. Jessie also serves on the board of LUSH Valley Food Action Society.
From an early age Jessie understood the healing power of our foods, and feels fortunate that “work” allows continual learning and guidance from community knowledge keepers.
Jessie.Newman@islandhealth.ca
250-203-1486
Kimberley is a Registered Dietitian working with Island Health’s Public Health team. She acknowledges she is a white settler with mixed European ancestry. Her roots are in Grande Prairie, Alberta, where her great grandparents established farms. Kim lives and works on the traditional, unceded territory of the Liǧʷiɫdax̌ʷ First Nations: the Wei Wai Kum, We Wai Kai and Kwiakah First Nations. She is grateful to call these beautiful, bountiful lands her home. She has much respect for the rich history of Indigenous connection to and stewardship of these lands and acknowledge the continued role of Indigenous peoples as leaders in food sovereignty and environmental stewardship.
Kim’s office is in Campbell River and she works with child, youth and family programs and schools throughout the North Island, with the Comox Valley as the Southern boundary. Kimberley supports the work of the food hubs in the North Island as a member of the Comox Valley Food Policy Council and the Strathcona Food Security Coalition, and also regularly attends the Strathcona Food Network meetings. She is the co-chair of the Strathcona Community Health Network (SCHN), which has identified food security as a key strategic initiative. The SCHN has played an important role in hosting food security conversations, encouraging collaboration and obtaining project funding. Kimberley is also a member of the steering committees for the Sayward and Gold River Children’s Health Hubs.
Kimberley.Toonders@islandhealth.ca
250-588-5779
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