Sowing a way towards revitalizing Indigenous agriculture: creating meaning from a forum discussion in Saskatchewan, Canada

FACETS

Melissa M. Arcand¹  Alfred Gamble²  Dale F. Worme³  Ken Bear³  Debra Shewfelt⁴  Sheldon M. Wuttunee⁵  Graham E.H. Strickert⁶  Anthony Blair Dreaver Johnston⁷  Lori Bradford⁸ 

[1] Department of Soil Science, University of Saskatchewan, 51 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada;Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, P.O. Box 248, Marcelin, SK S0J 1R0, Canada;National Indigenous Agriculture Association, Ltd., 150-103C Packham Avenue, Saskatoon, SK S7N 4K4, Canada;RESPEC Consulting, Inc., 2600 8th Street East 290A, Saskatoon, SK S7H 0V7, Canada;Saskatchewan First Nations Natural Resources Centre of Excellence, 322-2555 Grasswood Road East, Saskatoon, SK S7T 0K1, Canada;School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, 117 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5C8, Canada Global Institute for Water Security, University of Saskatchewan, 11 Innovation Boulevard, Saskatoon, SK S7N 3H5, Canada;School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, 117 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5C8, Canada Mistawasis Nêhiyawak, P.O. Box 250, Leask, SK S0J 1M0, Canada;School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, 117 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5C8, Canada;

关键词: indigenous agriculture;    first nations;    land use;    food sovereignty;    canadian prairies;   

DOI  :  10.1139/facets-2020-0004

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Agriculture is practiced on 3–4 million acres of First Nations reserve lands in the Saskatchewan Prairies—predominantly by non-Indigenous farmers. A confluence of factors including an increase in agricultural land holdings on reserve and greater autonomy in land management have renewed conversations on how First Nations can realize the full economic benefits and exert greater control over agricultural activities that affect the reserve land base. We hosted a Forum on Indigenous Agriculture to share current knowledge on the contemporary status of Indigenous agriculture and to co-formulate research, capacity building, and policy priorities. First Nations’ roles in agriculture are diverse and were categorized in three broad contexts: as farmers, relying on traditional Indigenous or western practice, or a synergy of both; as landlords negotiating lease agreements; and as agribusiness entrepreneurs. Five themes emerged from the forum: centring Indigenous knowledge and traditional relationships to the land, capacity building, building respectful partnerships and relationships, financing farming and equitable economies, and translating research to policy and legislation. The forum provided foundational data to inform research and capacity building to meet community-defined goals in agriculture on reserve lands and by First Nations people.

【 授权许可】

Unknown