Increasing Access to Traditional Foods Northern Rural Remote and Indigenous Food Action Grant Through a long-standing partnership with the Ministry of Health on food safety programming, we supported Rural Remote and Indigenous (RRI) communities in the Access to Traditional Foods project led by the Northern BC have been impacted in many First Nations Health Authority and the BCCDC who unique ways by the COVID-19 pandemic, climate facilitated engagement sessions between Indigenous change, and climate-related events. One element that communities and provincial/regional health authority has been signi昀椀cantly affected is community food environmental health of昀椀cers. This collaborative effort security. In partnership with the Ministry of Health included cultural safety training and engagement and the BCCDC, we launched a program to address to gain a deeper understanding of how Indigenous the societal consequences of the pandemic and one of communities approach food safety and their proposed solutions to overcome obstacles related to the food the 昀椀rst projects we funded was the RRI Food Action Grant that is supporting community food action across safety guidelines in BC. By bridging Indigenous and Northern BC that will help to improve food security non-Indigenous perspectives on food practices, within the region. This project, while still in progress, recommendations were generated to address obstacles posed by provincial food safety regulations. is working not only to improve, but also to de昀椀ne and build food security and food sovereignty. The programs supported by this funding have the potential to positively impact community, and individual physical, mental, and social health. We look forward to sharing an update on this important work. Encouraging Strong Paths Encouraging Strong Paths (ESP) focuses on health promotion, knowledge sharing, and land-based learning to address the health and well-being of Indigenous men in a culturally-rooted way. ESP is led by Chee Mamuk, an Indigenous program at BCCDC offering culturally- sensitive training and resources that aim to promote overall health and well-being through community engagement and strength-based approaches, prioritizing Indigenous culture and teachings. This year, ESP brought men together to build skills, knowledge, and connections through land-based education to promote holistic well-being. Funding from donors helped the Foundation provide the means for the team to get the essential supplies needed to equip an outdoor school hosted by Lil’wat Nation for current and future ESP training gatherings and trainings. In addition to building skills, training and engagement for men and youth/young men builds connection and relationship that will assist in knowledge sharing and mutual support into the future. Lil’wat Outdoor School’s First Indigenous Men’s Gathering 12 2022-23 ANNUAL REPORT