Wendie Wilson is a mother, educator, artist, writer, community advocate and a member of the African Nova Scotian and Black Food Sovereignty working group for the Halifax region’s JustFOOD Action Plan, alongside registered dietitian Nickaya Parris. In this episode, Wendie and Nickaya provide a window into the transformative work happening to advance community-rooted food sovereignty action in Nova Scotia. Listen to this episode to learn about the food sovereignty movement and why it matters for public health.

(00:00) Introduction

(6:35) Interview with Wendie Wilson

(39:06) Interview with Nickaya Parris

Episode Guests: Born and raised in Kjipuktuk (Halifax), Wendie L. Wilson is a descendant of African Nova Scotians who have history in the province for 400+ years. Wendie is an Executive Staff Officer BIPOC Engagement and Advocacy with the Nova Scotia Teachers Union, instructor at Mount Saint Vincent University and co-founder of the African Nova Scotian Freedom School. She works with Food Secure Canada, Halifax’s African Nova Scotian and Black Food Sovereignty Working Group, the PanCanadian Black Food Sovereignty Network, the Indigenous and Black Food Sovereignty Advisory Circle, and the Coalition for Healthy School Food NS. Born and raised in the Community of Uniacke Square, Northend Halifax, Nickaya Parris is a recognized role model within the African Nova Scotian community, who allows her passion for nutrition, healthcare, and underserved communities to lead her daily. Currently working as a Food Security Policy Analyst for the Government of Nova Scotia, Nickaya is also a Registered Dietitian.

Learn more:

• Disrupting Food Insecurity & Fat Phobia
• Disrupting Environmental Racism
• JustFood Action Plan for the Halifax Region
• Nyéléni 2007 Forum for Food Sovereignty
• Sovereignty: What is it and why it’s important (NowThisEarth, 2021)
• How Food is at the Heart of African Nova Scotian Culture (Wilson, 2024)
• Health Inequities and the Shifting Paradigms of Food Security, Food Insecurity, and Food Sovereignty (Borras & Mohamed, 2020)

Episode Credits: Production for this episode was led host Bernice Yanful, with contributions from Carolina Jimenez, Rebecca Cheff and Pemma Muzumdar (NCCDH). The Mind the Disruption project team is led by Rebecca Cheff, with technical production and original music by Chris Perry. Promotion by Caralyn Vossen (NCCDH). Artwork by comet art + design. Sound credits: "RoomTone_TrafficJam.wav" by TMPZ_1 is licensed under CC BY 3.0; clips used from Food Secure Canada. Mind the Disruption is a podcast by the National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health. NCCDH is hosted by St. Francis Xavier University and funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of the PHAC.