Food sovereignty is the right of Indigenous peoples to define, control, and sustain their own food systems according to their own values and traditions. In BC, communities are actively reclaiming this right through seed revitalization, traditional fisheries, land-based programs, and food infrastructure built outside colonial systems.

For tourism business owners, understanding the connection between local food systems and tourism can be a strategic opportunity for your business and a means to build genuinely sustainable economies. Travellers increasingly seek authentic, meaningful experiences over generic tours. Indigenous-led agritourism and culinary experiences attract sustainably-conscious travellers.

Pathfinders

• Federal: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is offering the Indigenous Pathfinder Service – a one-stop shop for advice and referral to help navigate the relevant information, tools and support available to start or expand activities in the agriculture and agri-food sector. The service strives to ensure you do not miss out on support and other business opportunities available
• Provincial: B.C. Indigenous Pathfinder Service – is a single source for support and referral to help navigate the relevant information, tools and funding available to start or expand activities in the following areas: Indigenous food systems, Food sovereignty, Food security, Agriculture and the food sector. Staff provide provincial wayfinding services and program referrals

Food Sovereignty & Traditional Food Systems

• The Indigenous Food Sovereignty Association (IFSA) supports healthy, resilient Indigenous communities based around an abundance of culturally appropriate foods.
• Indigenous Food Systems Network – An Indigenous food sovereignty organization in BC focused on reclaiming traditional food systems, seed sovereignty, and land rights. The Working Group on Indigenous Food Sovereignty (WGIFS) seeks to apply culturally appropriate protocols and ancient ways of knowing through a consensus-based approach to critically analyzing issues, concerns and strategies as they relate to Indigenous food, land, culture, health, economics, and sustainability.
• Slow Food Indigenous Peoples Network: The Slow Food Indigenous Peoples’ Network safeguards the rights and traditions of Indigenous peoples in recognition of their role as guardians of biodiversity

• Slow Food Turtle Island: Becoming a member of Slow Food Turtle Island Association will help you to connect with Indigenous chefs, food producers, educators and activists throughout North America, helping to support biodiversity through educational programs and events

• Planning for food security: A toolkit for the COVID-19 pandemic
• FNHA-Social-Consequences-of-COVID-19-and-Climate-Change-on-Indigenous-Food-Security (PDF)
• UNDERSTANDING COMMON LANGUAGE A toolkit for understanding and reflecting on the words Traditional Foods, Food Security, Nutrition and Medicine

Farm to School BC:

• Learning from the Land: Resources and stories from K-12 schools engaged with Indigenous Plants and Pedagogy
• Local Foods to School: Reconnecting the children of Haida Gwaii to their land and their food

Also see many resources on FNHA’s Healthy Eating Page, including Traditional Foods Facts Sheets, Food is Medicine Recipe Book and Indigenous Recipes from Dietitians of Canada, and much more.

• Healthy Food Guidelines For First Nations Communities
• Food is Medicine Cooking Show, Season 1 and Season 2
• Canning Foods: Your Guide to Successful Canning
• Food is Medicine Cooking Show, Season 2

I-SPARC: Food Systems Program

• A Journey Toward Indigenous Food Security & Food Sovereignty (PDF)

Small to medium-sized scale greenhouse solutions for Indigenous communities – For Indigenous communities, greenhouse farming can be a powerful tool in reclaiming and revitalizing food sovereignty. These resources were created by Indigenous people, for Indigenous communities to support those growing food to nourish their people through sharing, trading, or selling. 

Health, Community & Policy

• First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) — Includes food security and traditional food programs as part of its wellness mandate across BC. 
  • Need to have on-reserve food preparation facilities certified food safe? The FNHA Environmental Public Health Services (EPHS) offers food safety inspections and support to BC First Nations communities. Their certified Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) work with leadership and food operators to prevent foodborne illness, focusing on safe food storage, preparation, and community kitchen sanitation including education and training. 
• First Nations Food, Nutrition & Environment Study (FNFNES) — Built on collaborative research with 92 First Nations across the country, the FNFNES highlights that traditional foods remain foundational to First Nations’ health and well-being, and that the quality of traditional food is superior to store bought food. This research partnership documents traditional food use across BC Nations.

• BC Food & Beverage – Not-for-profit industry association representing food and beverage manufacturers in British Columbia. BC Food & Beverage leads the BC Food Hub Network, which helps BC’s food and beverage businesses grow, innovate and commercialize.