Comfort Foods Across Motherlands and Beyond

This March, Community Kitchen will continue to celebrate our Black community through Comfort Foods from West Africa and Beyond! Join Embark Sustainability and the SFSS Women’s Centre for a guided discussion around food and community as we explore the cross-cultural connections of food.

You’ll get to:

• 👯 Meet new people
• 🧑‍🍳 Explore cultural foods from Western Africa and cook Bean Stew & Fried Plantains
• 💬 Chat with your newfound community
• 😋 Share and enjoy a delish meal

RSVP ASAP to secure your spot. Members of all gender identities and expressions are welcome!

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This event takes place on the unceded homelands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səlil̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and kʷikʷəƛw̓əm (Kwikwetlem) Nations.

ABOUT THE FACILITATORS

My name is Farah (she/her) and I’m excited to host our upcoming Community Kitchen. I’m a Health Sciences student and a Food Justice Facilitator at Embark Sustainability.

I was born and raised in Bénin republic for most of my childhood but I have lived in several other countries including Ethiopia and Ghana. Having moved around frequently, I got the opportunity to try out a variety of meals across cultures. I appreciate that several countries share meals in common and love how that builds a sense of connection and community. As such, I am particularly interested in this Community Kitchen as we explore meals we share commonly in Western Africa, alongside my co-host. I look forward to discussing, engaging, and cooking with you all!

Hello everyone my name is Welle Dias (she/her). I’m a Cameroonian majoring in Interactive Arts and Technology and minoring in Business Administration at SFU.

As a Cameroonian citizen, what I love about my country is the culture, especially the food. We have all sorts of variety of food depending on the region. However, what brings us all together is the love that we put in when making meals. Cooking for others symbolizes how much we appreciate, hence I hope to pass this message across my food as well. I also enjoy cooking home meals to remind myself where I am from and in hopes of making others appreciate my culture too.

EVENT ACCESSIBILITY

Embark Sustainability events are free and open to Embark members which includes Simon Fraser University undergraduate and graduate students, as well as Embark Associate Members.

This event will be held indoors at the SUB Community Kitchen, room #2125 of the Student Union Building (SUB), SFU Burnaby. Accessibility details include:

• As we’ll be addressing sensitive topics, it’s important that our attendees are able to address their needs in the moment. Attendees are free to opt in and opt out of activities as suits their needs throughout the event, including exiting and re-entering the event space.
• Unfortunately, some appliances and counter areas of this room are not accessible when using a wheelchair or other mobility aids. The dining/lounge area is accessible when using a wheelchair or other mobility aids.
• We aim to host a scent-free space. Please refrain from wearing scented products in attendance of this event.
• Unfortunately, we cannot provide ASL interpretation at this time. We will be providing written recipe instructions.

We aim to make our events accessible to as many of our community members as possible. If we can take further action to make this event accessible to you, please contact Ellen Watters at food@embarksustainability.org.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Participants who register are agreeing to release Embark Sustainability Society from any liability related to COVID-19.

Masks are required at all times, until we are seated and eating as socially distanced as possible. Embark Sustainability will also provide sanitation supplies for wiping down furniture, and hand sanitizer for guests to use.

COMMUNITY AGREEMENT

By registering to attend this event, you are agreeing to be respectful when listening to and communicating with others, and be mindful of the space you are taking up amongst your peers.

Embark Sustainability does not tolerate violence or aggression against others on the basis of race, ethnicity, place of origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, or ability. Please also refer to people using the introductions they provide and do not assume pronouns/gender/knowledge based on someone’s name or appearance.

If these agreements are broken by someone, we will have to ensure the safety of our community members by removing them from the event.

QUESTIONS

If you have any questions about this event, please contact Ellen Watters, Embark Sustainability’s Food Justice Coordinator at food@embarksustainability.org.