Growing indigenous food is healthy for First Nations peoples and it’s also an empowering tool for social change, says a filmmaker and food activist from the Squamish Nation in North Vancouver.

Cease Wyss, who has worked on food security for First Nations people for years, recently helped implement what she calls the only fully indigenous garden in Greater Vancouver near Capilano Road in North Vancouver.

“Access to culturally appropriate food is important to indigenous people because their bodies are familiar with them,” Wyss said.

Wyss gives her thoughts on native food in an episode of Down2Earth, a TV documentary series broadcast on the Aboriginal People’s Television Network that takes audiences on a global search for indigenous solutions to environmental problems. The series producers, Aarrow Productions, are honouring aboriginal environmental leaders from B.C. at a reception at C Restaurant to mark National Aboriginal Day, June 21 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Wyss said indigenous cultures have answers to slow down or reverse environmental damage.

“They know to protect areas where food grows and they take a lot of flack from non-natives who say, ‘Why should we save it?’” said Wyss. “But the food that grows there is old and we need to protect that land. They’re promoting healthy living and not just for Coast Salish people, but for everyone.”

Wyss added food is also an ideal way to cross cultures and make human connections.

“It gives you a chance to know your neighbours,” she said.

Each of Down2Earth’s 13 episodes visits a different Canadian or global location to meet indigenous people trying to protect the environment in their community. The groups and individuals interviewed share traditional knowledge and demonstrate how they’re adapting it to repair, improve and solve environmental threats. Episodes include a visit to Vancouver Island-based T’Sou-ke First Nation, which per capita is one of the largest solar power producing communities in Canada, and an interview with Iggy George, an elder from Tsleil-Waututh Nation of North Vancouver, who shares stories about life in the region before the industrialization of Vancouver’s waterways.

Other environmental leaders attending Monday’s event include the cast and production crew of Down2Earth, including writer, producer and director Barbara Hager, Alfred Waugh, architect from the Chipewyan First Nation in the North West Territories, and Eli Enns, member of the Tla-o-qui-aht Nation in Clayoquot Sound. The event is hosted by Cree musician and TV personality Art Napoleon.

Other events in the city marking National Aboriginal Day include the Oppenheimer Park National Aboriginal Day Festival from noon to 4 p.m., and World Poetry Celebrates First Nations at the Central Library, 350 West Georgia St., which includes a memorial tribute to First Nations playwright, poet and storyteller Vera Manuel from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre, located at 1607 East Hastings St., has organized a day-long pow-wow that begins with opening prayers and a pancake breakfast at the centre from 9 to 11 a.m., followed by a parade south on Commercial Drive to Trout Lake where a celebration, including First Nations performers, arts and crafts and a free BBQ, continues until 5 p.m.

sthomas@vancourier.com