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“We Need to Live off the Land”: An Exploration and Conceptualization of Community-Based Indigenous Food Sovereignty Experiences and Practices

Author

Listed:
  • Brianna Poirier

    (Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, The University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
    Indigenous Oral Health Unit, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia)

  • Hannah Tait Neufeld

    (School of Public Health and Health Systems, The University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada)

Abstract

Although Indigenous food systems are sustainable in nature, many of these systems have been forcibly altered among Indigenous communities within Canada, as a consequence of colonization. Indigenous Food Sovereignty (IFS) movements work to counteract the dismantling of Indigenous food systems as well as the negative health impacts of environmental dispossession experienced by Indigenous communities. Through community-based participatory research methodologies and the utilization of Etuaptmumk, or two-eyed seeing, this research project explored community perspectives of IFS in Western Canada. Reflexive thematic analysis of qualitative data collected during a sharing circle held with community members identified the influence of Indigenous Knowledge and community support on three main aspects of Indigenous food sovereignty, including (1) environmental concerns, (2) sustainable practices and (3) a strong relationship with the land and waters. Through the sharing of stories and memories related to traditional foods and current sovereignty projects, community members identified concerns for their local ecosystem as well as a desire to preserve its natural state for generations to come. The strengthening of IFS movements is critical to the overall wellbeing of Indigenous communities within Canada. Support is needed for movements that honour relationships with traditional foods and recognize traditional lands and waters as necessary for healing and sustaining the health of Indigenous communities.

Suggested Citation

  • Brianna Poirier & Hannah Tait Neufeld, 2023. "“We Need to Live off the Land”: An Exploration and Conceptualization of Community-Based Indigenous Food Sovereignty Experiences and Practices," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-17, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:5:p:4627-:d:1088711
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kelsey Timler & Dancing Water Sandy, 2020. "Gardening in Ashes: The Possibilities and Limitations of Gardening to Support Indigenous Health and Well-Being in the Context of Wildfires and Colonialism," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-24, May.
    2. Cheryl Bartlett & Murdena Marshall & Albert Marshall, 2012. "Two-Eyed Seeing and other lessons learned within a co-learning journey of bringing together indigenous and mainstream knowledges and ways of knowing," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 2(4), pages 331-340, November.
    3. Sam Grey & Raj Patel, 2015. "Food sovereignty as decolonization: some contributions from Indigenous movements to food system and development politics," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 32(3), pages 431-444, September.
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