Canada: From Yukon to Haiti: Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in farm offers lessons in food security
‘If I can grow vegetables here in the Yukon, I can do it anywhere,’ says Sofani ‘Soso’ Charles
By Chris MacIntyre
CBC News
Sep 11, 2020
Excerpt:
Sofani “Soso” Charles is hoping to bring some farming skills he’s learned in Dawson City, Yukon, to his family in Haiti.
Charles was born in France but his family is originally from Haiti. He is currently on a two-year working holiday visa and has been working at the Tr?ondëk Hwëch?in teaching farm in Dawson City since April.
“It was by chance. I came last year to Dawson City and met Derrick [Hastings, the farm manager]. It was the end of season so not that much work. So he told me to come back in March, April,” Charles said.
Charles stayed in Whitehorse over the winter and returned to Dawson City last March, a week before the COVID-19 pandemic shut most things down.
“It was a bit tricky for me when I was going to start, but I keep the faith. And then two weeks after they hired me and I’m still here.”
Charles says it’s been an excellent experience. Working on the farm has given him the opportunity to learn about livestock, vegetables, medicinal plants and mushrooms.
