Understanding Our Food Systems: Building Indigenous food sovereignty in Northwestern Ontario

The impacts of colonization have resulted in disruptions to food systems, land, language, and the overall health and well-being of Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island. Food insecurity affects Indigenous People's health disproportionately due primarily to poverty and inequity, anti-Indigenous racism, and the ongoing effects of settler colonialism. Despite these challenges, Indigenous communities have used food as a tool for the resurgence of their cultures, identities, and self-determination.

Understanding Our Food Systems (UOFS) is a participatory, community-engaged action project led by the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, a team of researchers and community development professionals, and a circle of Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers working to build a deeper understanding of food security, Indigenous food sovereignty, and self-determination in Northwestern Ontario. The project takes leadership from and supports fourteen First Nations within the Thunder Bay District (Robinson Superior Treaty of 1850 and Treaty 9 areas) in their efforts to reclaim their traditional food systems.

Since 2018, the UOFS project has helped to establish and implement food sovereignty visions, priorities, and action plans for each of the First Nations communities; provided ongoing funding, workshops, training, and general assistance; hosted regular gatherings to learn, share, and plan collaboratively; and developed resources to support Indigenous food sovereignty across the region.

The UOFS project has contributed to enhancing Indigenous food sovereignty and self-determination across Northwestern Ontario. The project has also resulted in building a network of First Nations communities and reflective learning among the TBDHU and non-Indigenous participants about how to work in partnership and support First Nations to achieve their food sovereignty priorities.