Laura Gair

Director, Food Security & Resource Development

Laura is new to the homelands of the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Lkwungen) peoples, recently moved from xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.  She is a third-generation settler, raised on the lands of the Haudenosaunee (Six Nations) peoples, surrounded by farms and where a big veggie garden was a normal part of life.  After moving to an urban setting, Laura saw the lack of connection to food and land, and became interested in food as preventative medicine and the importance of how good food nourishes our bodies, our communities and strengthens connection with the land.

Empowering communities to build food resilience through strong relationships, food literacy and equitable access, and building a just and sustainable food system is Laura’s passion.  Prior to joining CRFAIR she worked with the South Vancouver Neighbourhood House, South Vancouver Food Network and Vancouver Neighbourhood Food Networks as a programmer and coordinator, to facilitate food systems change through place-based food security initiatives, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.  She holds a BSFN in International Nutrition from UBC and a BA in Anthropology and Sociology from the University of Guelph. She continues to be an avid learner and educator around the interconnectedness and celebration of food, land, culture, and well-being.  In her spare time, she enjoys being outdoors: growing food, hiking, yoga,  camping, and snowboarding.

CRFAIR promotes healthy and sustainable food systems.  This considers our relationships with each other, and the land and waters of this region.  We endeavour to honour the land and its treaties by strengthening our relationship and responsibilities to them. We live and work on unceded Coast Salish Territories*, specifically of the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees) and Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) Nations here in the core area, the W̱SÁNEĆ Nations {W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), SȾÁUTW̱,(Tsawout) W̱SIKEM (Tseycum)} out on the Saanich Peninsula and Gulf Islands, to the west Sc'ianew (Beecher Bay), T’Sou-ke, and Pacheedaht, and MÁLEXEȽ (Malahat) and Pune’laxutth’ (Penelekut) Nations.

The presence of settlers (non-Indigenous peoples who live on these lands) is not neutral; it has had and continues to have devastating impacts on many aspects of life for Indigenous peoples. Many of our practices, including the seeds we plant, the ways we educate, and our methods of growing food came to these lands through the ongoing process of colonialism. Settler colonialism has suppressed local well-being by harming Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ food systems, whether they be land-based or of the sky and sea. We hold this understanding in our interactions and engagements with this land and its people. 

There is important work being done by many nations and allies to ensure the continued thriving of these food systems, communities, and knowledge systems. Those of us who are settlers need to recognize that our knowledge and way of doing things may not be the priority as we work towards food security for everyone in this region.

* The term Coast Salish is used to encompass a number of Indigenous peoples, including Esquimalt, Hul’qumi’num, Klahoose, Lekwungen, MALAXEt, Musqueam, OStlq’emeylem, Pentlatch, Scia’new (Beecher Bay), Sliammon, Shishalh, Skxwú7mesh-ulh Úxwumixw, Stó:lo, Straits, Tsleil-Waututh, T’Sou-ke, W̱SÁNEĆ, and Xwemalhkwu.