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Recap of the 5th Annual Feed the People workshop

A highlight of 2024 for the Galiano Conservancy and our partners was the return of the Feed the People workshop, a weekend gathering originally created by beloved Penelakut Elder Karen Charlie in 2019.  We are so grateful to all the Knowledge Holders and community members who have come together to honour her legacy and continue her work of education and relationship building. 

During the workshop, many heartfelt words were spoken acknowledging Karen’s remarkable contributions to the Galiano and Penelakut communities, and about the transformative impact of the workshop for past participants.  Instructors and participants alike were elated to learn that, on the very same weekend, W̱SÁNEĆ hunters were leading a butchering workshop inspired by Feed the People with the Mayne Island Conservancy.  We are committed to honouring Karen’s vision by carrying this work forward, and raise our hands to those across the Salish Sea who are doing the same!

This year, the workshop was led by three generations of Karen’s family: Richard Charlie, Stephen Sylvester, Jamie Charlie and Rosemary Georgeson, along with three youth knowledge holders in-training.  Participants included community members, elementary school teachers from the mainland, researchers from the Martin Conservation Decisions Lab at UBC, and several repeat participants.  By the numbers:

  • 6 Penelakut hunters harvested 9 deer from the Galiano Conservancy’s Millard Learning Centre and participating private lands
  • 25 participants processed and canned meat with expert instruction over 2 days
  • 75 jars and a full cooler of venison were sent back to Penelakut Island, which were distributed to those in need following a significant power outage and loss of stored food.
  • 6 Penelakut hunters received PAL training in advance of the workshop

During the workshop, the importance of venison (in Hul’qumi’num – smuyuth) as a local, high-quality traditional food source was shared.  Instructors emphasized that increasing safe access to hunting areas is critical for reconciliation and food security, and explained that harvesting deer to limit overpopulation has important benefits for island ecosystems.  Based on the discussions and workshop feedback,  we learned that there is significant interest in future years to offer a sister workshop on Penelakut Island, as well as  to expand the scope of the Feed the People workshop to include the teaching of related skills (such as drum making) and facilitation of additional hunting opportunities.

In response, the Galiano Conservancy is planning to host additional hunts at the Millard Learning Centre over the winter, which will create additional opportunities for multigenerational learning and transfer of knowledge and skills, while increasing food security on Penelakut Island.  We are also working over the next 5 years to expand access for Indigenous-led hunting on GCA and private lands across Galiano Island as part of our new “Restoring the Balance” project.  This sustained partnership is a core value of the GCA, and we look forward to welcoming the hunters back again soon.

This project was funded in part by Heritage BC through the Heritage Legacy Fund and in part by the Canada Heritage: Multiculturalism & Anti-Racism Program, with support from the Victoria Foundation, the Galiano Community Food Program, and the Access to Media Education Society (AMES).  Special thanks to Galiano Courier, Sutil Farms, Shauna Anderson, Demi Kelly, and Flora Lake for helping to make this special event possible!

Ramsey Sylvester teaches a community member how to get started

Ramsey Sylvester teaches a community member how to get started

Researchers from the Martin Conservation Decisions lab learn to butcher deer for the first time

Researchers from the Martin Conservation Decisions lab learn to butcher deer for the first time

Rosemary Georgeson with Karen Charlie’s grandson Lennox

Rosemary Georgeson with Karen Charlie’s grandson Lennox Smith

After the butchering, participants move inside to process and preserve the smuyuth (venison)

After the butchering, participants move inside to process and preserve the smuyuth (venison)

Richard Charlie celebrates after the hunters harvested 9 deer over 2 days

Richard Charlie celebrates after the hunters harvested 9 deer over 2 days

Rosemary Georgeson removes freshly canned smuyuth from the pressure cookers

Rosemary Georgeson removes freshly canned smuyuth from the pressure cookers

Participants gather around instructors as they learn to butcher ha’put (deer)

Participants gather around instructors as they learn to butcher ha’put (deer)

Richard Charlie, Stephen Sylvester, and Rosemary Georgeson demonstrate cubing and deboning

Richard Charlie, Stephen Sylvester, and Rosemary Georgeson demonstrate cubing and deboning

75 cans and a cooler full of cubed smuyuth were sent back to Penelakut to feed those in need

75 cans and a cooler full of cubed smuyuth were sent back to Penelakut to feed those in need