Camosun students and Songhees Nation host evening of reconciliation and food sovereignty

The event is jointly organised by Camosun students in the Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts departments and hosted by the Songhees Nation in the spirit of partnership and reconciliation. For the event, Camosun Hospitality Management students Meghann Mongeau-Cochrane and Cassidy Childerley are serving as HR coordinator and Marketing lead, respectively.

“Guests will be moving to a new table for each course, there will be a four course dining experience and each course will tell a story about the Indigenous culture and the food that they ate at each quadrant,” notes Childerley. “We have an ocean theme this year, which will be incorporated into the menu and decor.”

The previous two events have been sellouts. Each year, the dinner is entirely organized by students as part of their immersive, applied learning experience.

“We’re in charge of coordinating the event and planning everything and overseeing volunteers,” says Mongeau-Cochrane. “It’s great to see that everything we’ve learned in our classes, we get to apply, but in a completely different setting.”

She and Childerley are both students in Brad Boisvert’s Integrated Event Management Class, which each year, organises the dinner.  

“I love the small classroom atmosphere at Camosun and the campus is really easy to get around,” says Childerley. ”I love that your instructors actually take the time to get to know you and know your name and that we get to do fun things like this event.”

Both students greatly value the opportunity to learn about Indigenous culture and culinary traditions. Camosun Anthropology instructor Nicole Kilburn helped advise students on Indigenous traditions and cultural practices.

“I think it’s a really great partnership between Camosun and Songhees,” says Childerley. “It’s a really great learning experience for us and it’s really cool to learn about different food cultures and communications styles and a lot of people form the Songhees community are willing to educate you and help you.”

Mongeau-Cochrane agrees. “It’s really important to educate yourself about past and ongoing Indigenous issues,” she says. ”This is the perfect way to do it in a fun environment with a beautiful four course dinner.”

Tickets cost $85 each and are available on Eventbrite or in person from the staff at Lansdowne’s Dunlop House. Local beer, wine and cider will be served and drink tickets can be purchased in advance online or at the door. The event runs from 5:30pm to 9:30pm on Friday, Mar. 27 at the Songhees Wellness Centre (1100 Admirals Road) and complimentary parking is available onsite.

All proceeds support a scholarship fund for Indigenous students in the Culinary, Tourism and Hospitality Management partnership between the Songhees Nation and Camosun College.

Camosun College is located in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia with campuses on the Traditional Territories of the Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples. We acknowledge their welcome and graciousness to the students who seek knowledge there. Established in 1971, the college serves 19,000 learners a year in certificate, diploma, bachelor's degree, post-degree diploma and continuing education programs.

Media Contacts

Ivan Watson
Marketing & Communications Strategist
watsoni@camosun.ca
250-418-0700

The Songhees Wellness Centre hosts the annual “Evening of Food Sovereignty and Cooking for Reconciliation” on Friday, Mar. 27 at 5:30pm. Tickets cost $85 each and are available on Eventbrite or in person from the staff at Lansdowne’s Dunlop House. All proceeds support student scholarships. (Photo credit: Camosun AV Services)