Tsawwassen FN | Growing Local Food

A Greenhouse Rooted in Community and Sovereignty

With support from the Indigenous Food Security and Sovereignty Grant, Tsawwassen First Nation has taken a meaningful step toward community wellness by investing in a greenhouse that grows food locally, on their own land.

This project is more than a greenhouse. It’s a response to the need for reliable, culturally relevant food access within the Nation. It’s about creating something sustainable, something teachable, and something that helps the community become more self-sufficient in the long term.

A Soil-Based Approach with Lasting Impact

One of the most thoughtful choices made during this project was to build the greenhouse with a soil base. That decision allows them to plant directly into the ground, improving sustainability, soil health, and crop production over time. It’s a design rooted in practicality and care—both for the plants and for the people who will benefit from them.

As shared in the video, growing your own food locally doesn’t just feed people, it empowers them. It builds skills, creates opportunity, and keeps food knowledge alive within the Nation.

Why It Matters for BC First Nations

Across the province, many Nations are reclaiming their food systems. Tsawwassen’s greenhouse is one of many community-driven solutions supported through the Indigenous Food Security and Sovereignty Grant. These projects are grounded in cultural knowledge, designed for long-term impact, and led by community priorities.

They show that food sovereignty isn’t just about growing crops, it’s about growing confidence, resilience, and care.

About the Indigenous Food Security and Sovereignty Grant

The Indigenous Food Security and Sovereignty Grant supports First Nations, Indigenous organizations, and entrepreneurs in British Columbia as they create or expand food-related projects, from greenhouses and gardens to harvesting, education, and food distribution.