Co-Designing Research for Sustainable Food Systems and Diets with Aboriginal Communities: A Study Protocol

(1) Background: Food choices and systems have contributed to various health and environmental issues, resulting in the global syndemic (obesity, undernutrition and climate change). Studies show that revitalizing Indigenous food systems and including native plant-based foods in our diet may be important for promoting health, reducing diet-linked chronic diseases and mitigating environmental changes. However, it is still a challenge to 'Indigenize' research by including Aboriginal people in all project phases to achieve culturally appropriate collaboration. We describe the development of a protocol using co-design methods to explore how knowledge can be exchanged around Aboriginal food practices related to native plant-based foods to facilitate benefits and share opportunities for sustainable food systems and Aboriginal aspirations, as well as to promote health in these communities. (2) Methods: This qualitative study includes five phases. In Phase I, we will start building a trusting relationship with the communities and train the research team. In Phase II, we will receive the consent to co-design and establish the Aboriginal Reference Group to ensure that Aboriginal people will lead this project. In Phase III, the investigators will run the interviews/focus groups and record the discussions about the community's place-based needs, understanding the community aspirations for a sustainable food system and the potential opportunities for doing research and strengthening community between research and community. In Phase IV, the records will be analyzed with the Aboriginal Reference Group, and summaries will be shared with community members. Phase V will establish case studies to support the implementation of community aspirations. (3) Discussion: This study protocol describes the process of ensuring that research for sustainable food systems meets Indigenous aspirations and health promotion in Indigenous communities.