Food carries memory, identity, and connection across generations. For the Burkinabé community in Edmonton, preparing familiar dishes is a way to reconnect with culture, share stories, and strengthen community ties.
These shared experiences, identified through ongoing community dialogue, shaped the development of an intergenerational workshop where food became the central way of bringing people together.
Building on these insights, Actions for Healthy Population Canada – Burkina Faso, a registered non-profit, has provided a culturally relevant intergenerational workshop to support French-speaking individuals, families, and seniors within the Burkinabé community in Edmonton.
Through expanded collaboration with Action for Healthy Communities (AHC), the organization engaged in community dialogue processes that identified key strengths and needs within the Burkinabé community. The Community Development Unit at AHC supported this process through capacity building, mentorship, budgeting guidance, leadership development, and space for meaningful community engagement.
Food as Cultural Connection: A Francophone Cooking Workshop
With this foundation, the organization designed an intergenerational initiative that reflects lived experiences. The workshop was rooted in a simple idea: food as a language of cultural connection. Elders and youth stood side by side, preparing traditional Francophone fritters that carried stories from Burkina Faso and beyond.
“I left Burkina Faso years back, and I never felt so close to home until I attended a different event that Actions for Healthy Population Canada – Burkina Faso is doing. Thank you for making me feel so close to my home country’s food. I made friends, and I learned certain cooking skills I never knew I could use.”
This reflects the cultural and emotional impact of the initiative. It was not only about cooking fritters from scratch, but also about rediscovering belonging, building social connections, and strengthening community ties.
Promoting Healthy Living Through Cultural Cooking
The workshop also served as a nutrition and healthy living session for immigrant and newcomer families in Edmonton. Through interactive discussions and live cooking demonstrations, participants learned how to prepare affordable and nutritious meals using culturally familiar ingredients. The focus remained practical and accessible, with participants exchanging ideas on food budgeting, adapting traditional recipes for healthier outcomes, and preparing balanced meals that support overall wellness.
Supporting Newcomer Wellness and Community Integration
The impact was immediate and meaningful. Participants gained confidence in making healthier food choices without losing cultural authenticity. Many expressed renewed pride in their culinary traditions, recognizing them as both heritage and a pathway to improved health. These lessons extend beyond the kitchen and influence daily routines and long-term family habits.
This initiative is part of the broader Healthy Roots, Strong Women project, which supports the mental and physical well-being of immigrant and newcomer individuals. Through Wellness Circles, Healthy Living Workshops, and Storytelling Events, the initiative addressed social isolation, cultural barriers, and limited access to wellness resources.
Community-Led Impact: Building Belonging Through Food
What sets this initiative apart is its grounding in community voice. It was built through listening and dialogue rather than assumptions. Burkina Faso community members shared their challenges and strengths, and the initiative responded with care and intention. In this space, laughter replaced isolation, and conversation replaced silence. Food became both nourishment and a pathway to healing and connection.
By the end of the three-hour workshop, participants left with more than recipes. They gained knowledge on preparing fritters from scratch, built relationships, and strengthened their sense of belonging within the Edmonton community.
In a city as diverse as Edmonton, initiatives like this show that community health goes beyond services. It is about connection, shared experiences, and collective support. Through cooking, dialogue, and collaboration, this initiative planted seeds of resilience that will continue to grow in homes and communities across the city.
