Indigenous Food Sovereignty

Native Status

originates from the Indian act, administered by the Federal Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

Status Designations

Registered Indian, Bill C-31 Indian, band member, reserve resident, treaty indian, Metis and Inuit.

Food Sovereignty

The right of people to decide and produce their own food, organizing themselves and determining what to plant.

Proposed action under Food Sovereignty Movement

Recognizing food as sacred, adopting an action based approach, pursuing self-determination and advocating for policy reform.

Challenges to Indigenous Peoples

low income, high prices, lack of fresh produce, and contamination.

Impact of challenges

high risk of poor nutritional status and health outcomes; developmental impacts on children; diabetes and health issues.

Caribou Decline

climate change, development, noise, habitat loss, wildfire, predation and mining has resulted in loss of populations.

Mercury Poisoning

industrial waste, coal power plants, medical waste incinerators have resulted in mercury entering the environment and causing damage to nervous system, kidney and brain; leads to birth defects and intellectual disabilities.

PCB contamination

affects country foods in nunavut, leading to health issues like diabetes from whales and seals.

Thrifty Gene

a pseudoscience suggesting genetic adaptions in indigenous people one advantageous in times of food scarcity are not contributing to obesity and diabetes in modern environments with high-calorie diets.