About Us

two people working in a garden with tools

Nourish North Network - A'ek̓aḵilax̱a̱n's Gukwa̲lu't is a regional community food hub funded by the United Way BC and Island Health. We are a North Island-rooted network that has evolved to support organizations providing dignified access to food for community members, uplifting Indigenous food sovereignty, and improving regional collaboration for a sustainable future.

We are building on decades of regional efforts, most recently facilitated by the Mount Waddington Food Hub, to strengthen and sustain foodways.

Our Mission

Connect and support established organizations and Nations with their food security and food sovereignty initiatives in the Mount Waddington Region.

We achieve this through food-related education and resource sharing, as well as dignified access to food.

A'ek̓aḵilax̱a̱n's Gukwa̲lu't - Nourish North Network aims to empower people

and communities.

Our Vision

Underpinned by resilient traditional Kwakwaka'wakw foodways, we envision a vibrant and robust North Island Food System with dignified access to nutritious and culturally appropriate food for all.

Our History

Food security advocacy and action on the North Island has seen several different collectives of dedicated people.

In response to community voices heard through consultation and dialogue sessions, the Mount Waddington Health Network led the formation of the Mount Waddington Community Food Initiative in collaboration with North Island College with the help of Community Food Action Initiative funding through Island Health in 2013.

Through sustained direction and partnerships with important stakeholders and community organizations, the Initiative teamed up with the Mount Waddington Family Literacy Society to form the Mount Waddington Community Food Hub. In 2022, after years of deepening regional relationships, accessing food security funding and micro-grants for community programming, this momentum led to the Food Hub joining the provincial network of United Way Community Food Hubs.

The Kwakiutl Health Centre, long-time partners in the regional food security, took on the role of Hub Steward in late 2024, managing the United Way funding and allocating to the growing list of supported regional organizations. A coordinator was hired in summer of 2025 and the organization name was updated to better convey our work and reflect Kwakwaka'wakw culture and the Kwak̓wala language: A'ek̓aḵilax̱a̱n's Gukwalut/Nourish North Network. The translation from Kwak̓wala is 'to take care of one another'. We were gifted this name by three cherished Indigenous elders: the late Willy Walkus of the Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw nations, Maggie Sedgmore of the Kwakiutl Nation and Agnes Morash of the Quatsino (Gusgimukw) Nation.