Indigenous Learning & Foodways Programs For Schools | COOKSMART
Experiential Education Grades K-8

Learning Through Food, Land, Story, and Connection

Authentic, turn-key Indigenous learning programs for Ontario schools. Explore traditional foodways and land-based learning with zero logistical stress.

Students engaged in outdoor land-based learning

Developed with Indigenous educators and advisors.

"Education got us into this mess and education will get us out of it."

Hon. Justice Murray Sinclair

Deepening Knowledge

Moving Beyond Awareness

We know that Truth and Reconciliation is not a single lesson. It is an ongoing journey.

Schools across Ontario are strengthening their commitment to Indigenous learning. We support this by moving concepts out of the textbook and connecting them to real-world experiences.

Through food, storytelling, and land-based learning, students build understanding in ways that feel engaging, respectful, and deeply memorable.

Shared Connections

Learning Through Food

Food has always been intimately connected to community, stewardship, and relationships with the land.

By participating in hands-on activities, students explore how food systems connect to:

  • Traditional foods
  • Harvesting practices
  • Seasonal cycles
  • Sustainability
  • Stewardship
  • Community
Outdoor land-based learning Traditional ingredients Sustainability

Flexible Learning Experiences

Adaptable, interactive programs built on core themes of Indigenous learning.

Indigenous Foodways

Explore traditional foods, food systems, and cultural connections through hands-on cooking and tasting.

Land-Based Learning

Investigate the deep relationships and responsibilities between people, food, and the natural environment.

Sustainability

Examine environmental stewardship and caretaking through Indigenous perspectives and ecological science.

Storytelling & Reflection

Engage in guided conversations and thoughtful reflection in a safe, welcoming circle.

In the Classroom

What Does It Look Like?

Concrete examples of how we bring Indigenous perspectives, land-based learning, and experiential education to life for your students.

Cooking the Three Sisters

Students prepare a recipe featuring corn, beans, and squash while exploring companion planting and the cultural significance of these sustaining foods.

Native Seed Balls

Combining soil, clay, and native seeds, students get their hands dirty creating seed balls to plant locally, sparking discussions about biodiversity and our responsibility to the land.

Cedar Tea & Storytelling

While preparing and sharing traditional cedar tea, students learn about respectful harvesting practices, local plant medicines, and oral storytelling in a welcoming circle.

Developed In Collaboration With Indigenous Advisors

Ensuring programs provide authentic, respectful, and appropriate learning experiences aligned with Ontario curriculum goals.

Kandy Kennedy, Indigenous Education Consultant
Indigenous Education Consultant

Kandy Kennedy

Haudenosaunee (6 Nations Iroquois Confederacy) • Bear Clan

Kandy Kennedy is originally from the Oneida Nation of the Thames. She holds a Master of Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies.

As an environmentalist, avid gardener, and the Advisor for Nourishing Indigenous Foods and Foodways in Schools at Farm to Cafeteria Canada, Kandy's guidance ensures that our programs center on authentic storytelling, traditional foodways, and meaningful connections to the land.

"Meaningful learning begins with relationships, respect, and opportunities for students to engage with Indigenous perspectives in authentic and age-appropriate ways."

Ontario Curriculum Alignment

Supporting School Board Priorities

We support educators by providing engaging, experiential environments that directly reinforce the Ontario Ministry of Education's Indigenous learning goals.

Our experiences are designed to integrate naturally into expectations across multiple subjects, providing a hands-on foundation that sparks great classroom discussions.

Social Studies & History

Exploring First Nations, Métis, and Inuit perspectives, history, and community relationships.

Science & Technology

Connecting with traditional ecological knowledge, sustainability, and plant lifecycles.

Health & Physical Education

Discussing traditional foodways, balanced nutrition, and holistic wellbeing.

Character Development

Building empathy, cultural appreciation, and respect through active listening and community building.

Need help with funding?

Many Ontario school boards provide dedicated budgets for Indigenous Education and Truth & Reconciliation programming.

Tip: Consult your board's Indigenous Lead to discuss available funding!

Community Trust

Proudly partnering with schools and organizations across Ontario

Toronto District School Board
Peel District School Board
Halton Catholic District School Board
York Region District School Board
Farm to Cafeteria Canada

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these programs developed with Indigenous advisors?

Yes. Programs are developed in continuous collaboration with Indigenous educators and advisors (like Kandy Kennedy) to ensure we support authentic and respectful learning experiences.

Do programs support Truth and Reconciliation learning?

Absolutely. The programs are designed to help support school and board initiatives across Ontario related to Indigenous perspectives, experiential learning, sustainability, and cultural understanding within the Ontario curriculum framework.

Are programs appropriate for elementary students?

Yes. Activities, discussions, and cooking elements are thoughtfully designed to be age-appropriate, safe, and adaptable for different grade levels (K-8).

Can programs be customized for our specific school?

Yes. Programs can often be adapted based on your specific school goals, age groups, logistical requirements, and learning priorities. We recommend booking a discovery call to discuss your exact needs.

Do we need a school kitchen?

No! We bring all the necessary portable equipment and ingredients directly to your standard classroom or designated space. We just need access to a sink for handwashing.

Let's plan your school's experience.

Ready to bring hands-on Indigenous learning to your students? We'd love to help you build a program that fits your school's unique goals.

Plan Program