Reflecting back on the last two weeks it is clear that the sources from where food comes from for Yukoners can be found from two food systems which case come together to create the local Yukon food system. First, the availability of industrial foods make up the modern food system and sources from southern provinces and across the global. The dependency and vulnerability that the Yukon food system and Yukoners themselves have to the south was a recurring theme.  

In 2012 the only road into Whitehorse and Dawson City was washed out, leading to empty grocery stores in less than a week. This event puts into perspective the importance of food sovereignty in the right to food. The right to food begins with the availability of food, and thus if the availability of food is at the mercy of southern supply and sensitive supply lines, the right to food in Yukon is compromised. Second, within Yukon there is the traditional food system made up of food acquired through hunting, gathering and sharing food. I was surprised to discover that both settlers and first nation communities use traditional methods for food acquisitions. I think this finding proves the sustainability and the real value in living off the land and eating local. However, it was local farming that surprised me the most. Local farming, presented by the TH farm, Bart’s farm, Otto’s Farms, Bev’s pork and cattle and many more gave strong evidence that growing and raising food in the north is possible. In additional, all these farmers once again brought up the 2012 highway washout, proving the necessity for farms such as the ones above to increase the availability of local food which in turn increase the sustainability and decrease Yukon’s vulnerability to outside food systems.