Title: Implications of a Changing Climate for Food Sovereignty in Coastal British Columbia
Abstract: This chapter considers the implications of climate-driven ecosystem change for communities highly dependent on marine resources. The question is particularly critical to indigenous communities—many of whom are revisiting their food economies and pursuing strategies for becoming food sovereign. We examine one such effort to answer questions about food sovereignty posed by the 'Namgis First Nation whose traditional home at the north end of Vancouver Island, British Columbia includes more than 2600 km2 of terrestial and marine territory. What, they asked, would it take to become food sovereign through local hunting, fishing, gathering, cultivating, and processing primarily "traditional" foods? Is it possible to meet the food-related ceremonial needs of a community of 1000? And, which of the particularly important "cultural keystone" foods might be compromised given a changing climate, among other drivers of change? The answers are varied and often surprising: colonial policies have historically compromised access to foods and still continue to shape food injustices. Most, but not all, of the foods deemed key to a traditional diet are compromised by climate effects. Challenging theories of food sovereignty and its meaning in the face of our empirical research reveals the risks to cultural resilience, identity, and rights.
Publication Year: 2017
Publication Date: 2017-01-01
Language: en
Type: book-chapter
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 4
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