today I’m actually going to talk to you about my personal experience and that is
about my personal experience and that is
about my personal experience and that is my experience as an eater this is me
my experience as an eater this is me
my experience as an eater this is me about 1986 as you can see here I have
about 1986 as you can see here I have
about 1986 as you can see here I have about 30 years of experience as an eater
about 30 years of experience as an eater
about 30 years of experience as an eater so I’m very experienced so in my
so I’m very experienced so in my
so I’m very experienced so in my experience navigating through this world
experience navigating through this world
experience navigating through this world as an eater I’ve learned that food has
as an eater I’ve learned that food has
as an eater I’ve learned that food has power as a place maker meaning that food
power as a place maker meaning that food
power as a place maker meaning that food is something that has the power to
is something that has the power to
is something that has the power to connect people with each other people
connect people with each other people
connect people with each other people with place it is something that our
with place it is something that our
with place it is something that our social relationships revolve around our
social relationships revolve around our
social relationships revolve around our identities our sense of belonging I’ve
identities our sense of belonging I’ve
identities our sense of belonging I’ve also learned that food has the power to
also learned that food has the power to
also learned that food has the power to sometimes make me feel out of place and
sometimes make me feel out of place and
sometimes make me feel out of place and I’ve experienced times where I feel a
I’ve experienced times where I feel a
I’ve experienced times where I feel a disconnect or a gap revealed through the
disconnect or a gap revealed through the
disconnect or a gap revealed through the food I eat maybe a gap between me and
food I eat maybe a gap between me and
food I eat maybe a gap between me and the place I live in me and the people
the place I live in me and the people
the place I live in me and the people around me so I think that there’s a lot
around me so I think that there’s a lot
around me so I think that there’s a lot of messiness and complexity to food and
of messiness and complexity to food and
of messiness and complexity to food and today I’m going to share with you some
today I’m going to share with you some
today I’m going to share with you some stories there’s some poetry because I
stories there’s some poetry because I
stories there’s some poetry because I think that sharing food and sharing
think that sharing food and sharing
think that sharing food and sharing stories is the best way to connect and I
stories is the best way to connect and I
stories is the best way to connect and I know at least a few of you in this room
know at least a few of you in this room
know at least a few of you in this room have experience as leaders as well so I
have experience as leaders as well so I
have experience as leaders as well so I hope we will find some common ground so
hope we will find some common ground so
hope we will find some common ground so this is a picture of some apples that
this is a picture of some apples that
this is a picture of some apples that were picked last fall in my colleagues
were picked last fall in my colleagues
were picked last fall in my colleagues uncle’s backyard right here in Edmonton
uncle’s backyard right here in Edmonton
uncle’s backyard right here in Edmonton so what better an example is there of
so what better an example is there of
so what better an example is there of edible placemaking
edible placemaking
edible placemaking these apples were right here from right
these apples were right here from right
these apples were right here from right here in the city so by biting into one
here in the city so by biting into one
here in the city so by biting into one of them I felt connected to place and
of them I felt connected to place and
of them I felt connected to place and knowing that they had come into my life
knowing that they had come into my life
knowing that they had come into my life through a gesture of sharing from a
through a gesture of sharing from a
through a gesture of sharing from a colleague through his family networks
colleague through his family networks
colleague through his family networks that made me feel very connected
that made me feel very connected
that made me feel very connected socially so it’s really wonderful but I
socially so it’s really wonderful but I
socially so it’s really wonderful but I think there’s been a few times in my
think there’s been a few times in my
think there’s been a few times in my life when something this these symbols
life when something this these symbols
life when something this these symbols of ultra local food systems have made me
of ultra local food systems have made me
of ultra local food systems have made me feel out of place so I’m gonna go back
feel out of place so I’m gonna go back
feel out of place so I’m gonna go back in time to 2010
in time to 2010
in time to 2010 at this time I was a student I was doing
at this time I was a student I was doing
at this time I was a student I was doing my undergrad at the University of
my undergrad at the University of
my undergrad at the University of Waterloo in Ontario and I was focused on
Waterloo in Ontario and I was focused on
Waterloo in Ontario and I was focused on environment and resource studies I was
environment and resource studies I was
environment and resource studies I was in love with ideas about food activism
in love with ideas about food activism
in love with ideas about food activism and community organizing social justice
and community organizing social justice
and community organizing social justice and she racism I was on the other side
and she racism I was on the other side
and she racism I was on the other side of the country from my family and so I
of the country from my family and so I
of the country from my family and so I was learning to cook through internet
was learning to cook through internet
was learning to cook through internet recipes through cookbooks and mostly
recipes through cookbooks and mostly
recipes through cookbooks and mostly from my friends and roommates so I was
from my friends and roommates so I was
from my friends and roommates so I was learning from their different cooking
learning from their different cooking
learning from their different cooking traditions they were French Australian
traditions they were French Australian
traditions they were French Australian Mennonite québécois they were
Mennonite québécois they were
Mennonite québécois they were Cantonese they were Indian they were
Cantonese they were Indian they were
Cantonese they were Indian they were Italian they were mixed like me and all
Italian they were mixed like me and all
Italian they were mixed like me and all the rest I was learning about the
the rest I was learning about the
the rest I was learning about the politics of food global food systems
politics of food global food systems
politics of food global food systems organics critiques of the industrialized
organics critiques of the industrialized
organics critiques of the industrialized food system and I was watching films
food system and I was watching films
food system and I was watching films like an inconvenient truth and food
like an inconvenient truth and food
like an inconvenient truth and food incorporated I was learning about
incorporated I was learning about
incorporated I was learning about farmers markets and justice for migrant
farmers markets and justice for migrant
farmers markets and justice for migrant workers and the racialization of hunger
workers and the racialization of hunger
workers and the racialization of hunger and poverty but what I loved learning
and poverty but what I loved learning
and poverty but what I loved learning about the most was the way that food
about the most was the way that food
about the most was the way that food could build community that it could
could build community that it could
could build community that it could connect us and the power of of shared
connect us and the power of of shared
connect us and the power of of shared stories about favourite meals or
stories about favourite meals or
stories about favourite meals or favourite ingredients or food that
favourite ingredients or food that
favourite ingredients or food that connected us to different places in
connected us to different places in
connected us to different places in different parts of the world and in the
different parts of the world and in the
different parts of the world and in the country for me this was edible place
country for me this was edible place
country for me this was edible place making and yet there were times where I
making and yet there were times where I
making and yet there were times where I still struggled with to sift through all
still struggled with to sift through all
still struggled with to sift through all this information to understand how to
this information to understand how to
this information to understand how to eat and how to feel in place because I
eat and how to feel in place because I
eat and how to feel in place because I still felt like there wasn’t space in
still felt like there wasn’t space in
still felt like there wasn’t space in all of this learning and eating that I
all of this learning and eating that I
all of this learning and eating that I was doing there wasn’t space for me
was doing there wasn’t space for me
was doing there wasn’t space for me somehow to to put my own experiences as
somehow to to put my own experiences as
somehow to to put my own experiences as an eater so I remember sitting in the
an eater so I remember sitting in the
an eater so I remember sitting in the library trying to work on my thesis and
library trying to work on my thesis and
library trying to work on my thesis and it was focused on the perspectives of
it was focused on the perspectives of
it was focused on the perspectives of women of color in alternative food
women of color in alternative food
women of color in alternative food movements I was really curious about
movements I was really curious about
movements I was really curious about multi multicultural perspectives and why
multi multicultural perspectives and why
multi multicultural perspectives and why they weren’t present in these larger
they weren’t present in these larger
they weren’t present in these larger discussions about about good food so I
discussions about about good food so I
discussions about about good food so I was sitting in the library and I ended
was sitting in the library and I ended
was sitting in the library and I ended up writing this poem cooking is
up writing this poem cooking is
up writing this poem cooking is confusing when the head wants something
confusing when the head wants something
confusing when the head wants something but the stomach doesn’t hold words to
but the stomach doesn’t hold words to
but the stomach doesn’t hold words to describe what these ingredients will
describe what these ingredients will
describe what these ingredients will become ginger sliced green onions Chris
become ginger sliced green onions Chris
become ginger sliced green onions Chris crossed over steamed white fish and
crossed over steamed white fish and
crossed over steamed white fish and black bean sauce with rice and Kraft
black bean sauce with rice and Kraft
black bean sauce with rice and Kraft Dinner bacon iceberg lettuce tomatoes
Dinner bacon iceberg lettuce tomatoes
Dinner bacon iceberg lettuce tomatoes cracked golden Italian dressing I never
cracked golden Italian dressing I never
cracked golden Italian dressing I never realized how involved Kraft was in my
realized how involved Kraft was in my
realized how involved Kraft was in my upbringing cooking is confusing I don’t
upbringing cooking is confusing I don’t
upbringing cooking is confusing I don’t know what will happen when the pressure
know what will happen when the pressure
know what will happen when the pressure of cooking to bridge a gap will make us
of cooking to bridge a gap will make us
of cooking to bridge a gap will make us rely on cardboard food which feeds us
rely on cardboard food which feeds us
rely on cardboard food which feeds us but the taste buds will not flower
but the taste buds will not flower
but the taste buds will not flower ginger is a root I don’t know what to do
ginger is a root I don’t know what to do
ginger is a root I don’t know what to do with it I don’t know what to do without
with it I don’t know what to do without
with it I don’t know what to do without it everything I cook is from scratch and
it everything I cook is from scratch and
it everything I cook is from scratch and yet I am defeated by the mounds of
yet I am defeated by the mounds of
yet I am defeated by the mounds of Ontario apples at the grocery store and
Ontario apples at the grocery store and
Ontario apples at the grocery store and I go home empty-handed because ginger is
I go home empty-handed because ginger is
I go home empty-handed because ginger is imported from China we don’t cook by
imported from China we don’t cook by
imported from China we don’t cook by heart we think we make ourselves
heart we think we make ourselves
heart we think we make ourselves everyday following all of recipes calm
everyday following all of recipes calm
everyday following all of recipes calm and companies coming cookbooks they sure
and companies coming cookbooks they sure
and companies coming cookbooks they sure fooled us
fooled us
fooled us so this behind me is a picture of some
so this behind me is a picture of some
so this behind me is a picture of some Hall 8
Hall 8
Hall 8 some of you might be familiar with these
some of you might be familiar with these
some of you might be familiar with these for me they are a nostalgic childhood
for me they are a nostalgic childhood
for me they are a nostalgic childhood candy they remind me of growing up and
candy they remind me of growing up and
candy they remind me of growing up and visiting Chinatown grocery stores on
visiting Chinatown grocery stores on
visiting Chinatown grocery stores on weekends in Edmonton some of these
weekends in Edmonton some of these
weekends in Edmonton some of these stores don’t exist anymore for me this
stores don’t exist anymore for me this
stores don’t exist anymore for me this was really edible place making of a
was really edible place making of a
was really edible place making of a different kind a connection to Chinatown
different kind a connection to Chinatown
different kind a connection to Chinatown as a place where my family could access
as a place where my family could access
as a place where my family could access food that made us feel in place we would
food that made us feel in place we would
food that made us feel in place we would go and get fresh tofu and fish and
go and get fresh tofu and fish and
go and get fresh tofu and fish and vegetables go for dim sum I learned
vegetables go for dim sum I learned
vegetables go for dim sum I learned recently that this candy is actually
recently that this candy is actually
recently that this candy is actually made from the fruit of the Hawthorn
made from the fruit of the Hawthorn
made from the fruit of the Hawthorn plant it’s called ha it’s like a berry
plant it’s called ha it’s like a berry
plant it’s called ha it’s like a berry so whenever I visit a new city I end up
so whenever I visit a new city I end up
so whenever I visit a new city I end up in it’s Chinatown because I find that
in it’s Chinatown because I find that
in it’s Chinatown because I find that there’s a sense of familiarity there a
there’s a sense of familiarity there a
there’s a sense of familiarity there a connection that is about the connection
connection that is about the connection
connection that is about the connection with food and place so I’m gonna go
with food and place so I’m gonna go
with food and place so I’m gonna go forward now to 2013 at this time I had
forward now to 2013 at this time I had
forward now to 2013 at this time I had just moved to Vancouver in Coast Salish
just moved to Vancouver in Coast Salish
just moved to Vancouver in Coast Salish territories and I was there to study
territories and I was there to study
territories and I was there to study community and regional planning at the
community and regional planning at the
community and regional planning at the University of BC again I found myself
University of BC again I found myself
University of BC again I found myself drawn to food as a place maker but this
drawn to food as a place maker but this
drawn to food as a place maker but this time what really captivated me was the
time what really captivated me was the
time what really captivated me was the stories the untold stories under the bit
stories the untold stories under the bit
stories the untold stories under the bit the city and the way it was built and
the city and the way it was built and
the city and the way it was built and and some of these parallel food stories
and some of these parallel food stories
and some of these parallel food stories so I was really interested in some of
so I was really interested in some of
so I was really interested in some of the stories about the early Chinese
the stories about the early Chinese
the stories about the early Chinese migrants who came
migrants who came
migrants who came for gold or building the railroad and
for gold or building the railroad and
for gold or building the railroad and they ended up as market gardeners some
they ended up as market gardeners some
they ended up as market gardeners some of the earliest urban farmers in the
of the earliest urban farmers in the
of the earliest urban farmers in the Vancouver area and they were growing
Vancouver area and they were growing
Vancouver area and they were growing vegetables that would supply some of the
vegetables that would supply some of the
vegetables that would supply some of the grocery stores and some of the
grocery stores and some of the
grocery stores and some of the restaurants and there were some of those
restaurants and there were some of those
restaurants and there were some of those farmers who ended up sharing and living
farmers who ended up sharing and living
farmers who ended up sharing and living with Musqueam First Nations and and
with Musqueam First Nations and and
with Musqueam First Nations and and sharing their land together so I found
sharing their land together so I found
sharing their land together so I found these stories really interesting so it
these stories really interesting so it
these stories really interesting so it was my first fall and it there’s a
was my first fall and it there’s a
was my first fall and it there’s a festival coming up which is the
festival coming up which is the
festival coming up which is the mid-autumn festival it’s a harvest
mid-autumn festival it’s a harvest
mid-autumn festival it’s a harvest festival in the Chinese calendar and I
festival in the Chinese calendar and I
festival in the Chinese calendar and I wanted to do something to celebrate but
wanted to do something to celebrate but
wanted to do something to celebrate but I didn’t really know many people and so
I didn’t really know many people and so
I didn’t really know many people and so even though I found myself living in a
even though I found myself living in a
even though I found myself living in a city where food was abundant it felt
city where food was abundant it felt
city where food was abundant it felt like I could get to food and culturally
like I could get to food and culturally
like I could get to food and culturally fulfilling food by foot by bicycle by
fulfilling food by foot by bicycle by
fulfilling food by foot by bicycle by transit which is what we want in our
transit which is what we want in our
transit which is what we want in our cities
cities
cities the food was very fresh I still felt I
the food was very fresh I still felt I
the food was very fresh I still felt I was missing something and I think it was
was missing something and I think it was
was missing something and I think it was the social networks to enjoy the food
the social networks to enjoy the food
the social networks to enjoy the food within so I ended up writing this poem
within so I ended up writing this poem
within so I ended up writing this poem let your feet take you to Chinatown to
let your feet take you to Chinatown to
let your feet take you to Chinatown to the bakery recommended to your mother by
the bakery recommended to your mother by
the bakery recommended to your mother by the owner of a Chinese bookshop stare at
the owner of a Chinese bookshop stare at
the owner of a Chinese bookshop stare at the many flavors of moon cakes through
the many flavors of moon cakes through
the many flavors of moon cakes through the glass case as customers jostle you
the glass case as customers jostle you
the glass case as customers jostle you speaking Mandarin and Cantonese try to
speaking Mandarin and Cantonese try to
speaking Mandarin and Cantonese try to decipher the price tags ask for two moon
decipher the price tags ask for two moon
decipher the price tags ask for two moon cakes you can’t eat a whole box alone
cakes you can’t eat a whole box alone
cakes you can’t eat a whole box alone when asked if it’s a gift say oh no it’s
when asked if it’s a gift say oh no it’s
when asked if it’s a gift say oh no it’s just for me you don’t need to wrap it
just for me you don’t need to wrap it
just for me you don’t need to wrap it they don’t take debit you have no cash
they don’t take debit you have no cash
they don’t take debit you have no cash so wander the surrounding blocks til you
so wander the surrounding blocks til you
so wander the surrounding blocks til you find an ATM withdraw money with
find an ATM withdraw money with
find an ATM withdraw money with gratitude return they’ll ask if you
gratitude return they’ll ask if you
gratitude return they’ll ask if you speak Cantonese you respond Susu Gong si
speak Cantonese you respond Susu Gong si
speak Cantonese you respond Susu Gong si o su I speak a little they call you
o su I speak a little they call you
o su I speak a little they call you Langley pretty girl say you are a whole
Langley pretty girl say you are a whole
Langley pretty girl say you are a whole lap very clever they’re impressed that
lap very clever they’re impressed that
lap very clever they’re impressed that you rode your bike take the mooncake
you rode your bike take the mooncake
you rode your bike take the mooncake stuff them in your backpack and carry on
stuff them in your backpack and carry on
stuff them in your backpack and carry on let your feet take you to the
let your feet take you to the
let your feet take you to the neighborhood greasy spoon with all day
neighborhood greasy spoon with all day
neighborhood greasy spoon with all day breakfasts and authentic seon cuisine
breakfasts and authentic seon cuisine
breakfasts and authentic seon cuisine eat lunch wish the owners are jongseo de
eat lunch wish the owners are jongseo de
eat lunch wish the owners are jongseo de aquila a happy mid-autumn festival let
aquila a happy mid-autumn festival let
aquila a happy mid-autumn festival let your feet take you to the corner grocer
your feet take you to the corner grocer
your feet take you to the corner grocer they have organic peanut butter
they have organic peanut butter
they have organic peanut butter tortillas
tortillas
tortillas pomelos Justin red ribbons buy one
pomelos Justin red ribbons buy one
pomelos Justin red ribbons buy one don’t ask yourself how you’ll eat it
don’t ask yourself how you’ll eat it
don’t ask yourself how you’ll eat it alone text a friend and ask if she wants
alone text a friend and ask if she wants
alone text a friend and ask if she wants to eat with you she’s busy
to eat with you she’s busy
to eat with you she’s busy return to your house ask the internet to
return to your house ask the internet to
return to your house ask the internet to teach you your traditions it will tell
teach you your traditions it will tell
teach you your traditions it will tell you that tonight is the autumn equinox
you that tonight is the autumn equinox
you that tonight is the autumn equinox the Harvest Moon
the Harvest Moon
the Harvest Moon a moon bright enough to harvest by that
a moon bright enough to harvest by that
a moon bright enough to harvest by that it’s the second most important Chinese
it’s the second most important Chinese
it’s the second most important Chinese festival that the moon cakes and the
festival that the moon cakes and the
festival that the moon cakes and the round fruit symbolized togetherness
round fruit symbolized togetherness
round fruit symbolized togetherness completeness unity follow a facebook
completeness unity follow a facebook
completeness unity follow a facebook link it will tell you the story of a
link it will tell you the story of a
link it will tell you the story of a woman who swallowed the elixir of
woman who swallowed the elixir of
woman who swallowed the elixir of immortality and flew up to the moon to
immortality and flew up to the moon to
immortality and flew up to the moon to become a goddess you’d forgotten this
become a goddess you’d forgotten this
become a goddess you’d forgotten this story but now you recall your mother’s
story but now you recall your mother’s
story but now you recall your mother’s voice you hear the story you learn that
voice you hear the story you learn that
voice you hear the story you learn that fruit and moon cakes must be laid out
fruit and moon cakes must be laid out
fruit and moon cakes must be laid out for the earth God and the moon goddess
for the earth God and the moon goddess
for the earth God and the moon goddess and that people share one slice for each
and that people share one slice for each
and that people share one slice for each member of a family but you are alone and
member of a family but you are alone and
member of a family but you are alone and you have no incense now look out your
you have no incense now look out your
you have no incense now look out your bedroom window the moon is bright and
bedroom window the moon is bright and
bedroom window the moon is bright and round let your feet take you to the
round let your feet take you to the
round let your feet take you to the kitchen take dragon eyeballs along on
kitchen take dragon eyeballs along on
kitchen take dragon eyeballs along on three candles and the small moon cake
three candles and the small moon cake
three candles and the small moon cake your cousin gave you place on one tray
your cousin gave you place on one tray
your cousin gave you place on one tray let your feet take you outside into the
let your feet take you outside into the
let your feet take you outside into the backyard light the candles
backyard light the candles
backyard light the candles lift your head look up at the bright
lift your head look up at the bright
lift your head look up at the bright moon lower your head and think about
moon lower your head and think about
moon lower your head and think about home wherever that is
home wherever that is
home wherever that is lift your head wonder how to pray think
lift your head wonder how to pray think
lift your head wonder how to pray think of heaven think of earth break the moon
of heaven think of earth break the moon
of heaven think of earth break the moon cake in half eat tell yourself I should
cake in half eat tell yourself I should
cake in half eat tell yourself I should enjoy this so this is a picture of land
enjoy this so this is a picture of land
enjoy this so this is a picture of land records from Perth County in southern
records from Perth County in southern
records from Perth County in southern Ontario my father shared this with me a
Ontario my father shared this with me a
Ontario my father shared this with me a few years ago and you can see
few years ago and you can see
few years ago and you can see highlighted in blue is my last name
highlighted in blue is my last name
highlighted in blue is my last name Patrick Lennon it’s a record of the
Patrick Lennon it’s a record of the
Patrick Lennon it’s a record of the arrival of our Irish ancestors to this
arrival of our Irish ancestors to this
arrival of our Irish ancestors to this land that we call Canada so we don’t
land that we call Canada so we don’t
land that we call Canada so we don’t know a whole lot about their lives back
know a whole lot about their lives back
know a whole lot about their lives back in Ireland but we do know that they were
in Ireland but we do know that they were
in Ireland but we do know that they were likely famine emigrants judging by the
likely famine emigrants judging by the
likely famine emigrants judging by the date of their arrival they were likely
date of their arrival they were likely
date of their arrival they were likely fleeing potato famine and arriving here
fleeing potato famine and arriving here
fleeing potato famine and arriving here to the prospect of land and opportunity
to the prospect of land and opportunity
to the prospect of land and opportunity where they became settlers hi
where they became settlers hi
where they became settlers hi homesteaders farmers the land that they
homesteaders farmers the land that they
homesteaders farmers the land that they acquired was referred to as lot six
acquired was referred to as lot six
acquired was referred to as lot six concession six and Ellis Township Perth
concession six and Ellis Township Perth
concession six and Ellis Township Perth County named after perthshire scotland
County named after perthshire scotland
County named after perthshire scotland but of course this place already had
but of course this place already had
but of course this place already had names it already had inhabitants and
names it already had inhabitants and
names it already had inhabitants and this land was actually ceded to the
this land was actually ceded to the
this land was actually ceded to the British crown by the Anishinaabe of
British crown by the Anishinaabe of
British crown by the Anishinaabe of Ketel and Stoney Point and what was
Ketel and Stoney Point and what was
Ketel and Stoney Point and what was known as the Huron tract purchase or
known as the Huron tract purchase or
known as the Huron tract purchase or here in tract Treaty and it was then
here in tract Treaty and it was then
here in tract Treaty and it was then turned over to the Canada company which
turned over to the Canada company which
turned over to the Canada company which distributed it to colonizing settlers as
distributed it to colonizing settlers as
distributed it to colonizing settlers as an agricultural experiment so this is
an agricultural experiment so this is
an agricultural experiment so this is placemaking an edible place making in a
placemaking an edible place making in a
placemaking an edible place making in a very different sense in the sense that
very different sense in the sense that
very different sense in the sense that it runs much deeper than how we eat in
it runs much deeper than how we eat in
it runs much deeper than how we eat in public space how we gather how we share
public space how we gather how we share
public space how we gather how we share it runs deep into the roots of how we
it runs deep into the roots of how we
it runs deep into the roots of how we relate to the lands we live in and on
relate to the lands we live in and on
relate to the lands we live in and on and so it makes me ask questions like
and so it makes me ask questions like
and so it makes me ask questions like what does it mean to be eating here at
what does it mean to be eating here at
what does it mean to be eating here at Edmonton treaty six territory here where
Edmonton treaty six territory here where
Edmonton treaty six territory here where bison where once the cornerstone of
bison where once the cornerstone of
bison where once the cornerstone of local indigenous food systems it makes
local indigenous food systems it makes
local indigenous food systems it makes me wonder how food as much as it can be
me wonder how food as much as it can be
me wonder how food as much as it can be a tool to make us feel in place and
a tool to make us feel in place and
a tool to make us feel in place and connected and united it can also be a
connected and united it can also be a
connected and united it can also be a tool to colonize to divide and to
tool to colonize to divide and to
tool to colonize to divide and to oppress so with a lot of questions in my
oppress so with a lot of questions in my
oppress so with a lot of questions in my mind I thought maybe I need to go visit
mind I thought maybe I need to go visit
mind I thought maybe I need to go visit my grandmother so in 2011 I decided to
my grandmother so in 2011 I decided to
my grandmother so in 2011 I decided to go to Hong Kong to try to understand
go to Hong Kong to try to understand
go to Hong Kong to try to understand that place and and my relations there
that place and and my relations there
that place and and my relations there and what the food what the food systems
and what the food what the food systems
and what the food what the food systems would would kind of reveal to me about
would would kind of reveal to me about
would would kind of reveal to me about about belonging in place and so I wrote
about belonging in place and so I wrote
about belonging in place and so I wrote a poem about that experience mm-hmm so
a poem about that experience mm-hmm so
a poem about that experience mm-hmm so here I am I’ve crossed the world to sit
here I am I’ve crossed the world to sit
here I am I’ve crossed the world to sit with her hoping that she’ll speak to me
with her hoping that she’ll speak to me
with her hoping that she’ll speak to me hoping that she’ll teach me hoping that
hoping that she’ll teach me hoping that
hoping that she’ll teach me hoping that she’ll spill kitchen secrets of black
she’ll spill kitchen secrets of black
she’ll spill kitchen secrets of black beans corn starch and soya sauce brought
beans corn starch and soya sauce brought
beans corn starch and soya sauce brought to a boil and thickened but
to a boil and thickened but
to a boil and thickened but thick-skinned is what I learn instead
thick-skinned is what I learn instead
thick-skinned is what I learn instead how to thicken my skin so that her words
how to thicken my skin so that her words
how to thicken my skin so that her words will not hurt me my grandmother’s skin
will not hurt me my grandmother’s skin
will not hurt me my grandmother’s skin is paper-thin blue veins raised like
is paper-thin blue veins raised like
is paper-thin blue veins raised like remnants of the Great Wall and I wonder
remnants of the Great Wall and I wonder
remnants of the Great Wall and I wonder if the great wall of her stubbornness
if the great wall of her stubbornness
if the great wall of her stubbornness will ever fall she follows more often
will ever fall she follows more often
will ever fall she follows more often now she’s broken both hips
now she’s broken both hips
now she’s broken both hips hit her head the arches of feet that
hit her head the arches of feet that
hit her head the arches of feet that went squatted in the streets selling
went squatted in the streets selling
went squatted in the streets selling vegetables selling bok choy gai lan choy
vegetables selling bok choy gai lan choy
vegetables selling bok choy gai lan choy some her feet no longer hold her but she
some her feet no longer hold her but she
some her feet no longer hold her but she is stubborn and fear of falling is
is stubborn and fear of falling is
is stubborn and fear of falling is nothing compared to the fear of failing
nothing compared to the fear of failing
nothing compared to the fear of failing to feed a family you see she still
to feed a family you see she still
to feed a family you see she still remembers hunger now she gets up to go
remembers hunger now she gets up to go
remembers hunger now she gets up to go into the kitchen and I follow hoping
into the kitchen and I follow hoping
into the kitchen and I follow hoping that I will find kumquats preserved in
that I will find kumquats preserved in
that I will find kumquats preserved in salt after the new year hoping that I
salt after the new year hoping that I
salt after the new year hoping that I will find secret maps tattooed under the
will find secret maps tattooed under the
will find secret maps tattooed under the backs of my hands that will let me
backs of my hands that will let me
backs of my hands that will let me crisscross checkpoints and bypass
crisscross checkpoints and bypass
crisscross checkpoints and bypass borders trading secrets for spices and
borders trading secrets for spices and
borders trading secrets for spices and spices for seeds but her kitchen is
spices for seeds but her kitchen is
spices for seeds but her kitchen is small and I’m too tall and I don’t know
small and I’m too tall and I don’t know
small and I’m too tall and I don’t know how to hold a knife I don’t know how
how to hold a knife I don’t know how
how to hold a knife I don’t know how much rice to cook for two I don’t know
much rice to cook for two I don’t know
much rice to cook for two I don’t know the names of vegetables so she tells me
the names of vegetables so she tells me
the names of vegetables so she tells me get out of the way from the sidelines i
get out of the way from the sidelines i
get out of the way from the sidelines i watch her i watch her rinse rice slice
watch her i watch her rinse rice slice
watch her i watch her rinse rice slice winter melon heat peanut oil and walk
winter melon heat peanut oil and walk
winter melon heat peanut oil and walk crisscross green onions and ginger
crisscross green onions and ginger
crisscross green onions and ginger across fish belly this belly has never
across fish belly this belly has never
across fish belly this belly has never known hunger and yet I am afraid I’m
known hunger and yet I am afraid I’m
known hunger and yet I am afraid I’m afraid that when the last Saskatchewan
afraid that when the last Saskatchewan
afraid that when the last Saskatchewan farmer yields to Monsanto we won’t know
farmer yields to Monsanto we won’t know
farmer yields to Monsanto we won’t know how to feed our cities I’m afraid that
how to feed our cities I’m afraid that
how to feed our cities I’m afraid that when the grandparents are gone our
when the grandparents are gone our
when the grandparents are gone our tongues will long for food that we no
tongues will long for food that we no
tongues will long for food that we no longer know how to name that the food we
longer know how to name that the food we
longer know how to name that the food we eat will feed us but our taste buds will
eat will feed us but our taste buds will
eat will feed us but our taste buds will not flower but I can’t say this I can’t
not flower but I can’t say this I can’t
not flower but I can’t say this I can’t can’t say grandmother I’m hungry I’m
can’t say grandmother I’m hungry I’m
can’t say grandmother I’m hungry I’m hungry for the wisdom of woman who
hungry for the wisdom of woman who
hungry for the wisdom of woman who carried the weight of the world on their
carried the weight of the world on their
carried the weight of the world on their hips I’m hungry because if I have a
hips I’m hungry because if I have a
hips I’m hungry because if I have a daughter I don’t know what color her
daughter I don’t know what color her
daughter I don’t know what color her skin will be I don’t know what language
skin will be I don’t know what language
skin will be I don’t know what language shall dream in but I will teach her to
shall dream in but I will teach her to
shall dream in but I will teach her to trust her gut to find the food that
trust her gut to find the food that
trust her gut to find the food that makes her heart and stomach fly I will
makes her heart and stomach fly I will
makes her heart and stomach fly I will teach her that we are intricate
teach her that we are intricate
teach her that we are intricate intersections we are marketplaces full
intersections we are marketplaces full
intersections we are marketplaces full of squawking chickens and fish mongers
of squawking chickens and fish mongers
of squawking chickens and fish mongers and vegetables wet with morning dew so
and vegetables wet with morning dew so
and vegetables wet with morning dew so that on those days when she feels like
that on those days when she feels like
that on those days when she feels like the world might slip out from under her
the world might slip out from under her
the world might slip out from under her feet we will retreat to the kitchen and
feet we will retreat to the kitchen and
feet we will retreat to the kitchen and translate confusion into confidence and
translate confusion into confidence and
translate confusion into confidence and we will feed our bodies because they are
we will feed our bodies because they are
we will feed our bodies because they are beautiful
unfortunately my Cantonese is very
unfortunately my Cantonese is very limited so I cannot say this but luckily
limited so I cannot say this but luckily
limited so I cannot say this but luckily I love to eat now at 6 o’clock
I love to eat now at 6 o’clock
I love to eat now at 6 o’clock the fish is steamed the neighbors are
the fish is steamed the neighbors are
the fish is steamed the neighbors are home and the news is on my grandmother
home and the news is on my grandmother
home and the news is on my grandmother comes up from the kitchen she takes her
comes up from the kitchen she takes her
comes up from the kitchen she takes her seat I pour the tea I fill our bowls and
seat I pour the tea I fill our bowls and
seat I pour the tea I fill our bowls and I turned to her and I say the only thing
I turned to her and I say the only thing
I turned to her and I say the only thing I can say in Cantonese I say pull up
I can say in Cantonese I say pull up
I can say in Cantonese I say pull up elastic fine eat rice grandmother and we
elastic fine eat rice grandmother and we
elastic fine eat rice grandmother and we eat so this is a picture of some bok
eat so this is a picture of some bok
eat so this is a picture of some bok choy that I grew a few years ago in a
choy that I grew a few years ago in a
choy that I grew a few years ago in a little backyard garden with my mother I
little backyard garden with my mother I
little backyard garden with my mother I was a very tiny harvest but we were very
was a very tiny harvest but we were very
was a very tiny harvest but we were very proud it felt really good to grow
proud it felt really good to grow
proud it felt really good to grow something here in our backyard that also
something here in our backyard that also
something here in our backyard that also made me feel connected and kind of
made me feel connected and kind of
made me feel connected and kind of fulfilled on many levels so in my
fulfilled on many levels so in my
fulfilled on many levels so in my journey as an eater I’ve learned that
journey as an eater I’ve learned that
journey as an eater I’ve learned that edible placemaking is not just about
edible placemaking is not just about
edible placemaking is not just about connecting with people with place
connecting with people with place
connecting with people with place finding meaning the social relationships
finding meaning the social relationships
finding meaning the social relationships it’s also about making space for our own
it’s also about making space for our own
it’s also about making space for our own stories as eaters and being able to
stories as eaters and being able to
stories as eaters and being able to share them and being proud about what we
share them and being proud about what we
share them and being proud about what we eat and what that where that comes from
eat and what that where that comes from
eat and what that where that comes from and we heard about it this morning but
and we heard about it this morning but
and we heard about it this morning but earlier but about ancestry in and where
earlier but about ancestry in and where
earlier but about ancestry in and where we come from and knowing who we are so I
we come from and knowing who we are so I
we come from and knowing who we are so I think just to to leave to close I would
think just to to leave to close I would
think just to to leave to close I would like to say that you know there’s a lot
like to say that you know there’s a lot
like to say that you know there’s a lot of power in sharing food food tastes
of power in sharing food food tastes
of power in sharing food food tastes better when we share it stories are
better when we share it stories are
better when we share it stories are better when you have people to listen to
better when you have people to listen to
better when you have people to listen to you so I really hope that you will take
you so I really hope that you will take
you so I really hope that you will take a chance to share your stories and share
a chance to share your stories and share
a chance to share your stories and share your food with each other and I and I
your food with each other and I and I
your food with each other and I and I think that through that sharing we might
think that through that sharing we might
think that through that sharing we might be able to close some of those gaps and
be able to close some of those gaps and
be able to close some of those gaps and and feel like we can all be in place
and feel like we can all be in place
and feel like we can all be in place here thank you
here thank you
here thank you [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
”
Be First to Comment