Indigenous perspectives on food systems transformation: Experiences from Latin America and Canada

 

Indigenous people are increasingly exposed to climate variability and other shocks such as pandemics and sociopolitical unrest. Their food systems, that are the result of long, co-evolved cultures and local ecosystems, are affected too. Indigenous people have a critical role to play, not only as guardians of biodiversity, but also as agents having a voice and a key role in decisions regarding what they eat, and how it’s produced, transported and accessed.

In Latin America, Indigenous people are increasingly claiming and playing a key role in climate action, protection of their environment, livelihoods and food sovereignty across the region. First Nations and Inuit communities in Canada’s North are also leading research initiatives on food sovereignty, placing Indigenous knowledge systems at the center to improve access to, and quality of, market and traditional food systems. There is an increasing recognition of the value of these Indigenous food systems, practices and knowledge, but there are still major challenges in understanding and using them at national, regional and local levels.

This project will provide a forum where Indigenous knowledge keepers and leaders from the Amazon/Andean regions of Latin America and from Canada can share experience in their food systems and discuss interlinkages between climate, culture and socially inclusive food systems transformation. Participants will identify solutions leading to changes they deem necessary in practice and in policy at the appropriate level. Lessons emerging from the workshop will be shared within IDRC, among stakeholders in Canada, and at the next World Food Forum organized by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Rome in 2024.