Why we started Xaayda Wellness Society

There comes a point when you realize that some of the most important things in life aren't found in books, classrooms, or online. They are found sitting beside an Elder, digging in the garden, harvesting along the shoreline, gathering around a kitchen table, or walking through the forest with someone willing to share what they know.

Xaayda Wellness Society was born from a desire to protect and share those teachings.

Growing up between Haida Gwaii and my family's territories on Vancouver Island, I was fortunate to learn from people who carried knowledge of the land, waters, foods, medicines, and traditions that have sustained our communities for generations. As the years passed, I began to understand how much of this knowledge is at risk of being lost if we do not actively create opportunities to document it, share it, and pass it on.

Like many Indigenous communities, we face challenges around food security, access to traditional knowledge, community wellness, and cultural continuity. At the same time, there is an incredible wealth of knowledge still held by our Elders, harvesters, fishers, gardeners, artists, and knowledge keepers. Xaayda Wellness Society was created to help bridge that gap.

Our vision is simple. We want to create opportunities for people to learn. We want youth to know where their food comes from. We want families to feel empowered to grow, harvest, preserve, and share food. We want traditional medicines and stewardship practices to be documented and protected. Most importantly, we want people to reconnect with the land, the waters, and the knowledge systems that have sustained our people since time immemorial.

Over the coming years, our work will focus on food sovereignty, seed stewardship, traditional foods and medicines, educational resources, community workshops, mentorship opportunities, and documenting the stories and teachings that continue to shape who we are today.

This work is about more than preserving the past. It is about creating a healthier, stronger future for our communities. A future where knowledge is shared freely, where people feel connected to one another, and where future generations inherit the skills, teachings, and relationships they need to thrive.

Thank you for joining us on this journey. We look forward to learning, growing, and sharing alongside you.