Braiding Food Systems Co-constructing Indigenous Seed Systems in Northern Ontario for Food Sovereignty, Security, and Climate Adaptation

This oral presentation shares findings from the ‘Braiding Food Systems’ project, undertaken in community-led partnership with three Northern Ontario First Nations, Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek, Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg, and Red Rock Indian Band. All phases of research, including design, data generation, interpretation, and validation, were collaborative, and community led based on community priorities. Community members were co-researchers, identifying key concerns and shaping analytical frameworks, and knowledge mobilization forms. Using a mixed methods Participatory Action Research approach, including surveys, Focus Group Discussions, relational systems mapping, and community garden planning, research enabled participants to critically examine interrelated historical, political, legal, socio-cultural, and environmental conditions influencing food security and food sovereignty. Through dialogue and collaborative planning, community members identified structural constraints rooted in colonial governance, contemporary ecological pressures, and local transformation opportunities. Analyzing relationships between contextual factors revealed root causes and impacts of these key issues. Methodologically, this research demonstrates that sustained, community-led collaboration can counterbalance colonial food systems by reorganizing decisions, strengthening access, and enhancing resilience within Indigenous food networks. While points of convergence and divergence exist between the partner communities in relation to broader provincial and regional trends, shared priorities emerged, included revitalizing traditional harvesting practices, strengthening land-based knowledge transmission, and expanding locally grown food initiatives, establishing seed lodges and organizing community food fairs. By centering Indigenous governance, relational accountability, and collective planning, this research contributes to advancing sustainable and self-determined food systems. It further identifies pathways for policy development and cross-sector collaboration that are rooted in community-defined visions of Indigenous food sovereignty.