Indigenous Food Sovereignty
This panel discusses
key principles of Indigenous Food Sovereignty as defined by the Indigenous Third Eye Seeing (ITES) Methodology.
-Food as a Sacred Trust
-Participatory Action
-Self Determination
-Policy
Each panelist demonstrates these principes in different ways as they walk us through their work and stories. We hear about the history and importance of the Tr’ondek Hwech’in Farm and the Tet’lit Gwich’in fish camp, as well as the development of a Vuntut Gwitchin seasonal harvest calenedar. We also hear how the Council of Yukon First Nations is leading the way to data sovereignty for all Yukon First Nations.
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Speakers and Panelists
Indigenous Food Sovereignty
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Dawn Morrison, Working Group on Indigenous Food Sovereignty, Moderator
Dawn is of Secwepemc ancestry and is the Founder/Director/Curator of Research and Relationships for the Working Group on Indigenous Food Sovereignty. Since 1983, Dawn has worked in and studied horticulture, ethno-botany, adult education, and restoration of natural systems. After teaching Aboriginal Adult Basic Education, Dawn has been dedicated to land-based healing and learning, which led to her life's work as a spirit-aligned leader in the Indigenous food sovereignty movement. Since 2004, Dawn has been committed to food systems learning that has been foundational in generating a body of research to support decolonizing and Indigenizing food systems. She has developed an Indigenous Third Eye Seeing (ITES) Methodology to guide the process of creating ethical spaces of engagement in land and food systems networks, where Indigenous Peoples food sovereignty meets coloniality, climate change, and the corporate control of the food system.
Roberta Joseph, Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in
Miss Roberta Joseph is a life long Yukoner and member of the Tr’ondek Hwech’in Nation here in Dawson City. Miss Joseph has committed 15 years to Tr'ondeck Hwech'in leadership, serving three terms from 2014-2023 as Chief. Roberta has dedicated nearly 33 years working for First Nations. More recently, Roberta has been enjoying some time off and focusing only on several diverse boards and committees. Roberta has also been dedicating time towards sharing her traditional knowledge about the land and environmental projects.Miss Joseph is committed to advocating for the protection of inherent and treaty rights, climate change, and building a positive healthy and economic sustainable community. Together Today for our Children Tomorrow is a strong statement from our past leaders.
Diane E. Koe, Tet’lit Gwich’in Council President
Diane is Tet’lit Gwich’in from Tet’lit Zheh, born and raised in Fort McPherson, NT. She is the President of the Tet’lit Gwich’in Council-DGO as of December 2024 and on the Board of Directors of the Gwich’in Tribal Council. In 2021, she was the Laureate of the Arctic Inspiration Prize and established Fish Camp at Happy’s Landing.
Diane is a proud mother of five girls and a loving grandmother to 8 grandchildren. Her parents are the late Thomas and Eileen Koe, and she has 5 siblings with many nieces and nephews.
Lee Rannells (she/her), Council of Yukon First Nations
Lee is the Manager of Survey Initiatives with the Council of Yukon First Nations and manages the implementation of the First Nations Regional Health Survey in the Yukon. Lee holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Dalhousie University and a Master of Science in Public Health from McGill University. Previously, Lee has worked in the government, non-profit, and academic sectors, focusing on increasing organizational data capacity and appreciation within health and social services. She currently lives in Whitehorse, on the traditional territory of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council.
Charly Charlie, First Nation School Board
Charyl’s life work is to promote Gwich’in language and culture among her people. Growing up in Fort McPherson, she attended high school in Inuvik and Whitehorse, and post-secondary at Yukon College, NAIT and Red Deer College. She later moved to Old Crow to raise her family in a traditional Gwich’in way. She served many years in the community as both the Education Director for Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation and as an Educational Assistant and Education Support Worker at Chief Zzeh Gittlit School. She has also been a member of the Teechik Dancers, performing Gwich’in dances at various venues.
As the Land and Language Connector for the First Nation School Board, Charyl continues to connect with Elders and Knowledge Holders to support language revitalization and share traditional knowledge and culture.
