Like most good stories, the Nawalakw story begins with a dream. In 2017, K’odi Nelson was guiding a group of youth from the village of Guilford, organized by Sea to Cedar’s Youth Leadership Paddle Program. When they stopped at the Hada River Estuary—a place sacred to his community—K’odi shared his vision with the Musga’makw Dzawada’enuxw…

Every Friday, the organization’s drivers and volunteers visit partner schools and discreetly hand out bags with enough nutritious, ready-to-eat food to keep kids fed through the weekend. Though simple, a backpack of food has a big impact on little lives, says co-founder Emily-anne King. She recalls talking to a little girl one Friday while handing…