Sharing Intergenerational Food Stories to Engage Children in Indigenous Food Sovereignty

Abstract

Within Indigenous cultures, teachings about food have been shared on the land. Yet, Indigenous children are increasingly using online technologies to access cultural knowledge. This study explores how land-based learning can come together with online technology to engage Mi’kmaw children in Indigenous food sovereignty. This study is situated within an intergenerational foods program called the Land2Lab Project and is guided by Two-Eyed Seeing and decolonial theory. Narrative inquiry is used to explore a group interview with 14 Mi’kmaq children, a storytelling session led by a Knowledge Keeper, and my field notes written throughout this study. I learn that land-based food stories need to be shared intergenerationally, as these stories are key to engaging children in Indigenous food sovereignty. Elements of intergenerational storytelling can happen online and on the land, and both can be used together to support the protection of Mi’kmaw knowledge systems and health of future generations.