Submitted
2025 Indigenous Communities Fellowship

petonawew

Team Leader
Our solution to this crisis is to assist our Nation with planting, gardening, foraging, hunting, trapping, fishing, and preserving natural foods native to our people, rather than processed store bought foods. We work with our people teaching and learning new innovative ways, incorporating alternative technologies to aid in the process.
What is the name of your organization?
Saddle Lake Food Sustainability Program
What is the name of your solution?
petonawew
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
We aim to provide food sovereignty and food sustainability to our Nation, by planting, growing, and foraging our own healthy natural foods.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Saddle Lake, AB T0A, Canada
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
CAN
What type of organization is your solution team?
Not registered as any organization
Film your elevator pitch.
What specific problem are you solving?
Our Nation faces a healthy food crisis because Our natural ways have nearly been forgotten. The problem is that our people rely on grocery stores for sustenance. This creates an unhealthy lifestyle for our people resulting in a high rate of health issues, such as diabetes, heart problems, and obesity. Our Nation has approximately 12,000 members, those of who do not hunt, trap, fish or forage on a regular basis. With today's society, grocery stores are the go-to for food sources. Also, with rising tariffs, fresh foods are not as readily available nor affordable to our Nation.
What is your solution?
Our solution to this crisis is to assist our Nation with planting, gardening, foraging, hunting, trapping, fishing, and preserving natural foods native to our people, rather than processed store bought foods. We work with our people teaching and learning new innovative ways, incorporating alternative technologies to aid in the process.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
Our target population is firstly, our Nation, but with the hopes to work with other surrounding nations and communities within the Treaty Six Territory. These areas are rural and somewhat remote, leaving healthy food choices to a bare minimum and definitely underserved. Our program will address these needs by working together to teach and learn from each other to create a healthier lifestyle and food sovereignty.
Solution Team: