Indigenous Health has two full-time dietitians who offer nutrition and health services to North Island and South Island Indigenous communities on Vancouver Island.
Indigenous Health Dietitians work to improve nutrition and food security in Indigenous communities in the North Island and South Island by:
- Supporting self-determined community food projects such as food programs, food skills and cooking programs, food access and recovery programs, youth programs, elders programs and health events
- Facilitating group discussions around key approaches to food and nutrition for healthy living and chronic disease prevention (e.g. diabetes, heart health, cancer, nutrition for the early years)
- Building relationships and capacity around food and nutrition by linking to funding resources and tools
- Supporting community health workers and community members with food and nutrition information and resources
- Creating cultural safety around food. Helping to create community networks and advocating for food organizations and local governments to include Indigenous knowledge holders, foods and ecosystems in their planning and programming
- Advocating for the voice and health of Indigenous people and communities
- Linking communities to health services
- Supporting schools in health promotion, food literacy, and chronic disease awareness & prevention
Project Examples
- Recipes, budgeting and cooking resources
- Food Gatherings
- Food Literacy including food skills
- Food and Garden Resource Directory
- Train the Trainers
- Food boxes, food skills and more
What is Food Security?
Food security means having access to safe, culturally acceptable, affordable and nutritious food. The principles of food security are self-determination, sustainability, self-reliance and social justice.
If you would like to learn more about food security and traditional food systems please go to: http://www.indigenousfoodsystems.org/food-sovereignty
To learn more about other VIHA Food Security initiatives click here.
For access to one-on-one Dietitian counselling services please contact your family physician for a referral or call Health Link at 811.
Cultural Safety and Food
Setting the table for a healthy food conversation
Tips for Living Well and Diabetes Prevention and Management
Living Well
Healthy Eating Active Living
Balance Your Plate
Healthy drink ideas
Sugary drinks - elders feedback
Strength from Within
Nutrition for the Early Years
Healthy Eating for Babies - first year
Fluids for babies
Iron for babies and toddlers
Vitamin D
Cooking and Budgeting
Delicious meal ideas
Setting the table
Food is Medicine Seasonal Cookbook
Specific Nutrients
Iron and your health
Iron in food
Calcium and Vitamin D
Vitamin B12
