Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thesis Format

Monograph

Degree

Master of Arts

Program

Geography and Environment

Supervisor

Richmond, Chantelle

Abstract

As a corrective to historical and ongoing acts of dispossession, Indigenous peoples have engaged in processes of environmental repossession, which refers to various social, cultural, and political processes by which they are reasserting their relationship with their lands so as to create spaces of healing and belonging. Drawing on the Traditional Food Basket (TFB) program offered by the Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC) in London, Ontario as a case study, the purpose of this research is to explore how urban-based traditional food programing can support Indigenous women’s well-being in the city and strengthen their cultural identities. I undertook a community-engaged approach to qualitatively explore the meanings and impacts of SOAHAC’s TFB program among Indigenous women who took part in the program (n=19). Findings demonstrated that the food offered by SOAHAC were meaningful to participants as they represented themes of (a) pride, (b) love, (c) connection (to culture, ancestors, and homes), and (d) health. Interviewees also spoke about the varied impacts of the program on their lives as it (1) enabled the sharing of food with family, (2) supported health, (3) provided financial benefits, (4) supported connection to ancestors and cultures, (5) supported access, and (6) allowed for the discovery of new foods. Findings also suggested that urban Indigenous organizations are places that help to strengthen participant’s connection to their Indigenous identities by creating a sense of community, while offering culturally sensitive care and programs that allow for learning or re-learning about cultural practices. The findings from this thesis highlight the possibilities of urban environmental repossession.

Summary for Lay Audience

Traditional foods are important for the health and well-being of Indigenous peoples. It can, however, be challenging to access these foods in urban areas. The Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC), located in London, Ontario, launched a pilot traditional food basket (TFB) program in 2023 as a way to provide culturally relevant foods to Indigenous peoples in the city. Drawing on SOAHAC’s TFB program as a case study, the purpose of this research is to explore how urban-based traditional food programing can support Indigenous women’s well-being in the city and strengthen their cultural identities. Using a community-engaged methodological framework, where decision making powers were shared between the research team and SOAHAC, Indigenous women (n=19) who took part in SOAHAC’s TFB program were interviewed. Findings demonstrated that the foods offered by SOAHAC were meaningful to participants as they represented themes of (a) pride, (b) love, (c) connection (to culture, ancestors, and homes), and (d) health. Interviewees also spoke about the varied impacts of the program on their lives as it (1) enabled the sharing of food with family members, (2) supported health, (3) provided financial benefits, (4) supported connection to ancestors and cultures, (5) supported access, and (6) allowed for the discovery of new foods and learning about traditional foods. Findings also suggested that urban Indigenous organizations are places that help strengthen women’s connection to their Indigenous identities.

This research is theoretically informed by the concept of environmental repossession, which describes the social, cultural, and political processes by which Indigenous peoples are reasserting their relationship with their land. The findings from this thesis highlight the possibilities of urban environmental repossession and emphasize the importance of urban Indigenous organizations and their programs in supporting well-being and strengthening Indigenous identities.

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