Decolonizing the Narrative of Indigenous Food Sovereignty: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Indigenous Studies
• Food Systems
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Indigenous food sovereignty (IFS) is explored as a decolonizing framework.
• It is grounded in the cultural, spiritual, and ecological values of Indigenous communities.
• IFS integrates self-determination, cultural continuity, and ecological stewardship.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore Indigenous food sovereignty (IFS) from an Indigenous perspective.
• To synthesize literature on core principles, practices, and assessment tools for IFS.
• To identify policy needs for supporting Indigenous food systems and decolonizing efforts.

Main Methods:

• Scoping review of existing literature on Indigenous food sovereignty.
• Synthesis of core principles, practices, and assessment tools.
• Analysis of challenges and potential of IFS in decolonizing efforts.

Main Results:

• Core IFS principles include community governance, revitalizing traditional practices, and environmental stewardship.
• Diverse Indigenous contexts show themes of community gardens, traditional harvesting, and knowledge sharing.
• Assessment tools for IFS exist but face challenges in varied settings.

Conclusions:

• IFS fosters cultural renewal, environmental sustainability, and community resilience.
• Policy advocacy is needed for Indigenous rights, land restoration, and sustainable food production.
• Recognizing and supporting Indigenous food systems promotes a more inclusive and sustainable global food system.