By Alice McFarlane

Amplifying Indigenous food systems and agricultural knowledge

May 7, 2025 | 12:47 PM

The National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture and Food (NCIAF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Canadian Food Focus (CFF) to work together for increasing Indigenous agricultural knowledge, promote food system awareness, and strengthen educational outreach across Canada.

Kallie Wood, President and CEO of the NCIAF said the agreement represents a powerful step forward in advancing inclusive and culturally relevant food literacy for all Canadians.

“Through this partnership, we are ensuring Indigenous voices are recognized and respected in national conversations about agriculture and food,” Wood said. “This collaboration with Canadian Food Focus allows us to highlight the rich food traditions and agricultural practices of Indigenous communities across the country.”

Under the MOU, the NCIAF and CFF will collaborate on several initiatives.

• Storytelling and Content Creation: Sharing multimedia content—such as articles, videos, and podcasts—showcasing Indigenous food knowledge, practices, and community stories.

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• Education and Outreach: Developing materials and campaigns to increase understanding of Indigenous food systems and agricultural traditions.

• Community Engagement: Supporting events and workshops connecting Indigenous and nonIndigenous audiences in meaningful ways.

• Capacity Building: Creating mentorship and leadership opportunities for Indigenous youth and community members in agriculture.

CFF Managing Director Dorothy Long said they will contribute its communications expertise and national media reach, ensuring content is published with cultural sensitivity and respect.

“We are excited to work with NCIAF to share and advance Indigenous voices and to engage consumers with stories of Indigenous Peoples’ deep understanding of food harvesting, farming, hunting, and fishing practices,” Long said.

The NCIAF will provide cultural insight and help identify knowledge holders and communities to feature in collaborative content.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com