Located north-east of Pemberton, BC, the Seton Lake Indian Community Farm is a collaborative project which the Wilderness Committee and the residents of Seton Portage began over 3 years ago. This is a pilot project to try and re-establish agriculture in the St’at’imc Nation. (pronounced Stat-lee-um) Historically the St’at’imc Nation continuously farmed in this area for hundreds of years up until the 1970’s when the children of the Seton Portage First Nation community were removed and taken to residential schools. The removal of children from the community was such a crushing blow and so traumatic that many long held traditions and customs, including growing food, were sidelined, scaled down or abandoned. Until this farming project began there were no community gardens in any of the 11 St’at’imc communities and the success of this project will hopefully encourage future farming projects within the St’at’imc Nation and other First Nation communities.

Elders in Seton Portage had a desire to see farming re-introduced into their community. The Wilderness Committee has been involved in community building projects in the St’at’imc territory for nearly a decade so were pleased to be involved in this project. Schoolchildren from Seton Lake Band School and a Vancouver elementary school partnered together to grow seedlings in hothouses, while members of the Seton Portage community and volunteers from the Wilderness Committee, partnered with WWOOFers (Worl-Wide Opportunity in Organic Farming) helped dig irrigation ditches and build a approx. one hectare garden. Since this project started over 5,000 hours of volunteer hours have been put into the garden and volunteers from over 26 countries have been involved.
 
The aim of the farm is to provide single parents in the Seton Portage community with fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables and to serve as a template to encourage re-introducing farming into other St’at’imc Nation communities. Food security and poor nutrition are driving factors affecting the health of the 300 First Nation residents of Seton Portage, and at many other reserves throughout the Lower Mainland. It is estimated that the fruit and vegetables grown on 1 ha could provide all native single parent families in Seton Portage with weekly baskets of free fresh fruits and vegetables for 4 weeks.  

One of the principal limiting factors affecting the ability of St’at’imc people to fully embrace their ancient culture is poverty. Poverty is a driving factor in all aspects of daily life on reserves, including Seton Portage. Realization that many band members have poor diets, that the 110 km driving distance to the nearest supermarket limits fresh fruit and vegetable consumption, and that processed food dominate consumption patterns was a major factor in the decision of many community members to embrace the community farm.

The desire to farm is based on a desire by the Seton Lake Band to enhance food security, health, and culture. Cultural traditions of the Statimc people are on a steady path of re-affirmation. The St’at’imc Nation in particular, is a shining example of the re-affirmation and continuation of ancient cultural traditions.