Coast Salish food and cooking

Jared Qwustenuxun Williams prepares Pi'qwun, a traditional salmon preparation, at Quw'utsun (Cowichan) River Day on Sept. 28, 2019. Photo: Barry Hetschko
Jared Qwustenuxun Williams prepares Pi’qwun, a traditional salmon preparation, at Quw’utsun (Cowichan) River Day on Sept. 28, 2019. Photo: Barry Hetschko

In this three-part series, Jared Qwustenuxun Williams consults knowledge-keepers on the past, present and future of Coast Salish food systems.

Jared Qwustenuxun Williams is a chef, a food sovereignty advocate, the Elders’ kitchen manager with Cowichan Tribes, a father, a storyteller and a writer, among other things.

This series won Silver for Best Multicultural Story at the 2021 Canadian Online Publishing Awards.

Reporting for this series was supported in part by Journalists for Human Rights’ Indigenous Reporting Program and RBC Future Launch.

Coast Salish foods of today: Evolving towards a new path

Knowledge keepers share what has been lost, and what has been held onto, in Coast Salish food culture.

How colonization dismantled Coast Salish food systems

Environmental destruction, colonial rules and new expectations ripped Cowichan people from their food and culture.

Coast Salish food and cooking: a taste of yesteryear

A Cowichan Tribes chef consults knowledge keepers on the tools, techniques and relationships of the old food world.

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