Sha Shaw Corporation

Published purpose

This Project aims to explore how historical agricultural practices from the experimental farm near Haines Junction, Yukon can be revived and adapted to meet the challenges of food scarcity and climate change in the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations (CAFN) and the broader Northern community. The Project will involve researching old archives, collecting data, and engaging with Elders to gather traditional knowledge about how agriculture was practiced in the past. Answers to key questions include: What crops were grown, such as the Yukon Gold potato, and how can those practices help improve food production today? This Project will also explore the spread of invasive species, such as yellow alfalfa, that were introduced in the past and how they are affecting the environment now. The ultimate goal is to learn from both the historical data and the community to build sustainable agricultural practices that can support food security in the face of climate change. The research will take place primarily in Haines Junction, Yukon, where the experimental farm was once located, and will involve Northern Indigenous peoples, particularly Elders and youth from CAFN. Elders will guide the research by sharing their knowledge of traditional farming practices, and Citizens will participate in the data collection, ensuring that traditional knowledge is passed down and applied to modern challenges. This Project is important because it will help improve food security, build resilience against the impacts of climate change, and ensure that the community’s knowledge and history are preserved and used to shape a more sustainable future.