UNIVERSITY OF THE FRASER VALLEY
UFV researchers help lay the foundation for food security in Canada's North

Two UFV researchers from seemingly disparate backgrounds have found that by combining their strengths, they can offer support to Indigenous groups in northern Canada interested in improving food security.

Dr. Cindy Jardine and Dr. Lauren Erland, both federally funded Canada Research Chairs at UFV (Cindy in Health and Community and Lauren in Berry Horticulture), decided to work together when Cindy realized that Lauren's horticultural research focus would complement her own experience in community-engaged health research.  

Dr. Lauren Erland (left) and Dr. Cindy Jardine , both federally funded Canada Research Chairs at UFV (Cindy in Health and Community and Lauren in Berry Horticulture), joined forces for a food security research project with Indigenous partners in the Yellowknives Dene First Nation

"Climate change is disproportionately impacting Indigenous Peoples in northern Canada, who are experiencing rising temperatures and an increased frequency of unpredictable weather phenomena, including droughts, floods and forest fires," Cindy notes. "These shifts are negatively affecting the quality, quantity, and availability of native plants that Indigenous populations have traditionally relied upon for sustenance. As food security is already problematic in many remote northern communities in Canada, exploring the possibilities for continued access to traditional plant foods, as well as expanding production to other acceptable agricultural foods, is important to establishing food sovereignty."