Our home, our food, our resilience: A citizen science approach using photovoice to ecological food heritage planning with the Kitselas First Nation in Terrace, BC

Community food assessments tend to be limited in their consideration for ecological and cultural assets that are important for food system resiliency. In addition, what are considered assets may not reflect the everyday lived experiences of historically excluded communities. This study applied a citizen science-led photovoice food assessment involving six participants (n=6) who currently live upon the lands of the Kitselas First Nation. Thematic analysis was conducted in NVivo 12 to identify patterns in the citizen scientists’ photos and stories as they relate to food security and cultural and ecological food assets. The findings show how Indigenous concepts of relationality and reciprocity are intertwined in cultural and food-related practices, which highlights the need for a holistic approach in planning. Recommendations include Indigenizing the field of planning, centering Indigenous voices, increasing community capacity and food literacy, and implementing Indigenous food considerations in Canadian food policies.