Sik-E-Dakh Farm School
The Institute for Sustainable Food Systems, in partnership with Sik-E-Dakh (Glen Vowell Band), strives to create space and capacity for Indigenous voices in regenerative agriculture by providing culturally safe education delivered virtually and in person. This program honours the Indigenous worldview and seeks to embed reciprocity, reconciliation and community care into the curriculum. Our work focuses on providing a foundation of knowledge on regenerative agriculture, permaculture, and Indigenous foodways.
The Sik-E-Dakh Farm school is located on the unceded territory of the Gitxsan people on the Sik-E-Dakh reserve. This program has successfully run since 2020, and we look forward to deepening this relationship and work in partnership with the community in the future growing season. We offer a hybrid program combining online with hands-on learning at the educational and working gardens and greenhouses of Sik-E-Dakh. This program is offered to Sik-E-Dakh community members, including youth, and junior elders. Classes include Composting, Organic Market Crop Production, Livestock Production, Indigenous foodways, Permaculture, Food Forests, Small farm business operations, and Soil Health.
The Farm staff and students are dedicated to giving back to their community, and work to build food security for all members. They do so through several initiatives, including, providing fresh produce at no cost, operating a community fridge, and delivering food hampers. This work has inspired the community to step into food sovereignty, with more members building their own gardens each season. The Sik-E-Dakh community continues to build on their legacy, which has historically focused on potato farming.
We are grateful for our partnership with Sik-E-Dakh and for the opportunity to support community resiliency through education and community development.
Interview with Clifford Capezzuto, Sik-E-Dakh Farm School Lead Coordinator
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Building a Caterpillar Tunnel at the Sik-E-Dakh Farm
Sik-E-Dakh Farm School Lead Coordinators
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Clifford Capezzuto – Sik-E-Dakh Band Member, Field Crop Production
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Andrew Wesley – Sik-E-Dakh Band Member, Livestock Production
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Ashton Ruetten – Sik-E-Dakh Band Member, Greenhouse Production