Indigenous Food Systems and Community-Based Land Stewardship
“I personally found the experiential aspects to foster a sense of collaboration and community among the youth, making the learning process much more engaging and rewarding.”
Shogofa was a recipient of the Centre for Community Engaged Learning’s Chapman and Innovation Grants in the 2022-23 school year.
Project Description
Shogofa’s project focuses on Indigenous Food Systems and Community-based Land Stewardship. Shogofa collaborated with the Environmental Youth Alliance (EYA), an organization that serves equity-deserving communities, such as by providing land-based educational programs for BIPOC youth in Vancouver and the Downtown East Side. Over the summer, their project served six youth with the hope of bridging knowledge and access gaps towards land-based learning. The project involved organizing and running seven themed workshops and a field trip, all led by Indigenous knowledge-keepers and community groups.
Community Partner Description
Environmental Youth Alliance (EYA) empowers youth from equity-denied communities to become environmental stewards. EYA was founded by a local high school youth in 1989. EYA provides free land-based education and paid employment training programs that support youth to develop the skills and confidence to become environmental stewards. EYA programs centre on three themes – native plant horticulture, ecological restoration, and plant medicine. All programs integrate Indigenous teachings and land stewardship protocols through visits from Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers. EYA programs are led by youth who identify as Indigenous, Black, and/or People of Colour.
Lessons Learned
Shogofa shares how leading their community-engaged project empowered their professional development:
“Well, for one, the responsibility of managing a large sum of funds helped me overcome the apprehension that came with it, but really, this project provided a chance for me to enhance my budgeting skills. In my case, the EYA was primarily behind the budget’s creation, but working closely with them provided me with insights into the nuances of budgeting and financial management.”
“Additionally, being the grant recipient required a proactive approach and leadership across various aspects of the project—from the initial application process until the delivery phase. Getting to work on the project from start to finish helped me improve my ability to navigate complex projects with foresight, which I have found to come in handy in my academic and personal life.”
Project Outcomes
Shogofa highlights how their project bridged individuality, community, and sustainability:
“What stood out to me about this project was collaborating with the youth participants. Each individual brought their own unique gifts and energy to the group which elevated the overall learning experience for everyone. Seeing their personal growth and the community-building that took place was affirming of the impact that a collaborative environment can make.”
“Additionally, the opportunity to learn from Indigenous Elders and knowledge keepers who led workshops about native plants and food systems was an enriching experience. These sessions went beyond traditional learning by incorporating hands-on learning elements, such as cedar weaving and crafting herbal medicine and Indigenous foods.”
“I personally found the experiential aspects to foster a sense of collaboration and community among the youth, making the learning process much more engaging and rewarding.”
More information about Shogofa’s project outcomes can be found here.
Advice for Future Applicants
For students considering applying for a CCEL Grant, Shogofa offers some valuable advice:
“If you are considering working on a project that you are passionate about, the CCEL grant is a great resource to look into to bring your vision to life. Don’t hesitate to apply if the fear of not having enough experience and knowledge is holding you back. I found the folks at CCEL (shout out to Jacquie and Sydney) as well as my community partner incredibly helpful and encouraging throughout the whole process. If at any point you ever need support, reach out to the folks at CCEL; they are there to guide and support you.”
Information about CCEL Grants
If you are a student interested in leading your own UBC CCEL project, you can learn more about the application process here. Year round advising for grant projects and applications are available via Zoom or in-person at our office on the UBC Vancouver office from Monday to Friday. For more information about year round advising, please email us at community.learning@ubc.ca to book an appointment.