Janelle Hatch

Board Member

My name is Janelle Hatch (she/her) and I am a settler on the lands of the Lək̓ʷəŋən Peoples, today known as the Songhees and Xʷsepsəm/ Esquimalt.

As I continue my journey to unlearn and learn from the First Peoples of this place, I recognize my power and privilege as a settler on these lands and work to deepen my accountability and actions toward reconciliation. I am a registered dietitian, and my career has been in public health.  I believe in the power of food to support our health and wellbeing and connect us to family, friends, our culture, community and to the land.  I have worked with CRFAIR for more than 15 years and the Victoria Community Food Hub Society since its inception, bringing my skills of organizing, community development, collaboration and a systems approach.  My personal and professional values align with those of the organization particularly around supporting development of a food system that is just, equitable and ecologically sustainable so that people can realize wellbeing in a connected community.  My hobbies also weave with my values and include hiking, gardening, cooking, music, reading and participation in community events.

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.