Clams and other shellfish are central to many First Nations communities across coastal BC. Shellfish play a key role in food, health and nutrition, economy and trade, and culture. Sea gardens (also called clam gardens) are an Indigenous practice that involves caring for clam beaches in a way that increases the productivity of clams. However, there are barriers to harvesting, trading, consuming, and caring for shellfish. Indigenous Food Sovereignty describes “present-day strategies that enable and support the ability of Indigenous communities to sustain traditional…[food] practices” such as sea gardens (Morrison, 2011, p. 97-98). This presentation will explore how Indigenous Food Sovereignty can illuminate possible pathways towards thriving shellfish food systems that benefit both people and nature.

Claire Armstrong grew up and currently lives on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations in Vancouver and spent many summers of her childhood exploring the beaches of the Gulf Islands. Claire recently graduated with a Masters of Marine Management from Dalhousie University; her thesis work was conducted in collaboration with the Sea Gardens Restoration Project in the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, where W̱SÁNEĆ and Hul’q’umi’num working group members lead and carry out all aspects of the project in partnership with Parks Canada.

This presentation will be a Hybrid of In Person and Zoom video conferencing. Please join us after 7 pm to enjoy some social time at the Unitarian Hewett Hall, 949 w 49th Avenue (49th and Oak), Vancouver. To register for In Person please email marine@naturevancouver.ca . On the Monday preceding the event, Nature Vancouver members will receive the Zoom link in the weekly e-News. This talk will begin at 7:30pm. Non-members are welcome and should Email eNews@NatureVancouver.ca well in advance to register for the link.