Our Hands at Work: Indigenous Food Sovereignty in Western Canada

Abstract

Food sovereignty has recently emerged as a means of addressing pervasive food-related problems in many Indigenous communities in Canada as well as around the world. This is particularly important for Indigenous people who still face threats to their food systems directly stemming from colonialism. Stories of community-based Indigenous food sov­ereignty are presented in this paper. Outcomes are summarized using a circle metaphor that describes four key elements of Indigenous food sovereignty that emerged from this research: history, connec­tion to the land, relationships, and identity. Indige­nous food sovereignty requires that we move beyond access to food, and critically interrogate Indigenous relationships to food. This is founded upon the notion that people should be able to be self-determinant in their own food and cultural traditions. Progress requires a shift in how Indige­nous food relationships are understood and incor­porating Indigenous worldviews and perspec­tives as part of a larger resurgence movement.