The Nutrition education program for elementary schools in Quebec First Nations communities Nourishing Your Roots promotes healthy lifestyles among young people aged 5 to 12. It is available free of charge, in French and in English.

To learn a little more about the program, we asked a few questions to our Health Advisor – Nutrition Component, Frédérique Paradis:

Where did the need or idea for this program come from?

Nourishing Your Roots is the new version of the former On the Path to Health! program, which is well known in First Nations communities. Among other things, its content has been renewed for two reasons:

• The needs of school staff are now better taken into consideration. Turnkey, simple and fun workshops are offered and allow teachers or anyone else to facilitate them.
• The approach to healthy eating has changed a lot in recent years, thanks in part to the new Canada’s Food Guide. The program therefore touches on various dimensions of food: the sensory discovery of food, the pleasure of eating, hunger and satiety cues, sustainable food, food marketing, etc.

What was your source of inspiration or motivation?

Providing a culturally appropriate program was one of the biggest motivations. Promoting traditional food is essential. This is one of the four main themes of the program.

Who is it for?

The program’s target audience is First Nations youth aged 5 to 12. It was designed for elementary schools, but the turnkey workshops can be used in youth centres, day camps or for any other activity outside the classroom (extracurricular).

Teachers and anyone wishing to get involved in fostering the wellness of their students (e.g., nutritionists, dietetic technicians, school nurses) are encouraged to implement the program in their classrooms.

What is the objective of Nourishing Your Roots?

The program’s vision consists of First Nations youth aged 5 to 12 enjoying a healthy diet that contributes to their overall health. It is divided into four objectives, which constitute the themes for the workshops: discovering and enjoying nutritious foods, promoting traditional foods, developing cooking skills and adopting healthy eating habits.

More concretely, what does it consist of?

The program is designed for students in kindergarten through grade 6. It consists of one binder per school grade level. Three workshops are offered for each of the four themes. Four workshops can therefore be selected over the course of the year among the twelve offered.

The educational material needed to hold the workshops is provided: seven binders, game cards, PowerPoint presentations, video viewing links, printable recipes, additional sheets, etc. The kitchen equipment and food needed for certain workshops must be provided by the school or centre that is organizing the activities.

What aspect of the program do you think young people will find the most appealing?

Cooking, discovering different flavours and sampling food with other students … given the variety in the workshops offered in each binder, there will certainly be something for everyone!

In your opinion, is adopting a healthy diet a subject that is of concern to First Nations families?

Most families want to maintain or adopt a healthy diet, but sometimes some of them are not sure where to start.

In this sense, the program will help children learn more about food and they will then be able to share what they have learned with their families, for example, how to make good choices and discover new foods.

How are First Nations cultures considered in this program?

They are at the forefront: there are many activities suggested for this purpose such as sharing circles with community elders about traditional food, quizzes on local foods, discussions about family meals, memories related to gathering, hunting and fishing, etc.

What are your expectations for this project?

That the program can be used by communities to promote healthy eating among young people, while making easier the work of teachers and other stakeholders who wish to set up workshops on nutrition. The implementation of this program in the communities will help develop food literacy in young people, i.e. the acquisition of knowledge and skills necessary for lifelong healthy eating.

For more information on the program or to obtain support, feel free to contact us at info@cssspnql.com or 418 842-1540.