{"id":9439,"date":"2026-10-14T17:01:53","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T21:01:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fondsclimatmontreal.com\/news\/pour-lavenir-alimentaire-de-kahnawake\/"},"modified":"2026-10-15T09:48:31","modified_gmt":"2026-10-15T13:48:31","slug":"pour-lavenir-alimentaire-de-kahnawake","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fondsclimatmontreal.com\/en\/news\/in-action\/pour-lavenir-alimentaire-de-kahnawake\/","title":{"rendered":"For the Future of Food in Kahnaw\u00e0:ke\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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This is no ordinary Thursday for the <\/span>Greater Montreal Climate Fund<\/span>. <\/span>We\u2019re<\/span> hitting the road for <\/span>Kahnaw\u00e0:ke<\/span> to see up close the initiatives taking root in the name of the community\u2019s food security and food sovereignty. Behind them is a passionate team we are honoured to support: <\/span>Kahnaw\u00e0:ke<\/span> Collective Impact.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

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In the yard of Kateri elementary school, where our visit takes place, the end of the harvest can be sensed in the rows of pumpkins, tomatoes, <\/span>sunflowers<\/span> and tobacco. This summer, the garden grew on an unprecedented scale and became a true open-air classroom, an immersive learning space for staff and students alike.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

At the heart of this achievement is Brittany McComber. As Food Security Facilitator at <\/span>Kahnaw\u00e0:ke<\/span> Collective Impact, she led the Helping Hands project this summer. The goal: to bring the community\u2019s existing gardens back to life and rekindle a love of gardening, in keeping with traditional teachings.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Here at Kateri School, but also in the yards of daycares and seniors\u2019 residences in <\/span>Kahnaw\u00e0:ke<\/span>, Brittany\u2019s horticultural <\/span>expertise<\/span> has borne fruit. Working alongside her, young and old have built up the knowledge to tend the plots, harvest <\/span>them<\/span> and save seeds. These are skills they, in turn, can sow throughout the community.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The gardens turned into something different, but all of them promoted a healthy lifestyle and served as an educational tool for children and adults alik<\/span><\/span><\/blockquote>

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Brittany McComber<\/p>\n

Food Security Facilitator at Kahnaw\u00e0:ke Collective Impact<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At a time when climate change is weakening food systems, strengthening <\/span>Kahnaw\u00e0:ke\u2019s<\/span> capacity to produce local, <\/span>nutritious<\/span> and culturally meaningful food <\/span>remains<\/span> essential. This is the vision that guides the work of <\/span>Kahnaw\u00e0:ke<\/span> Collective Impact. In just one year, the organization has supported several community gardens and multiplied concrete actions for a stronger, more resilient food system: 1,400 pounds of fresh produce distributed, 500 fruit plants given away and 100 gardening tools handed out to the community.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Added to this are <\/span>numerous<\/span> engagement and dialogue activities, which have allowed the Mohawk community to reflect collectively on its future and its food autonomy, including the food-producing potential of <\/span><\/span>the parcel of land the federal government is in the process of returning to it<\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

But <\/span>Kahnaw\u00e0:ke<\/span> Collective Impact has no interest in claiming the spotlight. \u201cEverything we do, we don\u2019t do it for ourselves, but for them,\u201d says Lou-Ann Stacey, the organization\u2019s executive director. A phrase that perfectly sums up her team\u2019s philosophy: working with the community and for the community to strengthen collective well-being.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Behind every garden, every harvest and every piece of knowledge passed on lies the same ambition: to build a stronger, more self-reliant community, better prepared for climate challenges thanks to a resilient food system.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Everything we do, we don’t do it for ourselves, but for them.<\/blockquote>

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Lou Ann Stacey<\/p>\n

Director of Operations and Project Strategy at Kahnaw\u00e0:ke Collective Impact<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At the Greater Montreal Climate Fund, we are convinced that the climate leadership of First Peoples must be recognized, <\/span>supported<\/span> and valued <\/span>in order to<\/span> build a transition that is truly just, <\/span>equitable<\/span> and grounded in reconciliation. It is with deep gratitude that we move forward alongside <\/span>Kahnaw\u00e0:ke<\/span> Collective Impact.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The work of <\/span>Kahnaw\u00e0:ke<\/span> Collective Impact powerfully <\/span>demonstrates<\/span> that climate action cannot be separated from the preservation of culture, language, and collective well-being. By strengthening the community\u2019s food sovereignty, KCI is building resilience that is environmental, social, cultural, and economic all at once. Our visit to <\/span>Kahnaw\u00e0:ke<\/span> left us with an even stronger conviction: the most sustainable climate solutions are those that take root in the values, knowledge, and aspirations of the communities themselves.<\/span><\/blockquote>

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Anne-Sophie Evoy<\/p>\n

Manager of Grants and Strategic Initiatives at the Greater Montreal Climate Fund<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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A dedicated team<\/h2>\n <\/span>\n
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for food security and food sovereignty in Kahnaw\u00e0:ke<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n

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Spaces for dialogue created<\/h2>\n <\/span>\n
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to reflect collectively on food sovereignty<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n

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Revitalized gardens<\/h2>\n <\/span>\n
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throughout the community<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n

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1 400 <\/h2>\n <\/span>\n
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books <\/span>of fresh produce distributed<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n

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500<\/h2>\n <\/span>\n
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fruit plants<\/span> donated<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n<\/div> <\/div>\n

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