Minister Miller announces Government of Canada support for Indigenous food and agriculture initiatives

OTTAWA, ON, June 18, 2021 /CNW/ - The month of June is dedicated to recognizing and honouring the achievements, history and rich cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. Together, we are building a stronger and more inclusive agriculture sector that advances meaningful relationships with Indigenous Peoples and reduces barriers for under-represented groups.

Today, the Minister of Indigenous Services, the Honourable Marc Miller, on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced investments of over $4 million in 16 projects that will help support Indigenous food systems initiatives, provide equitable access to healthy food, and increase participation of under-represented groups in the agriculture and agri-food sector.

Recipients include:

• 4-C Farms Limited Partnership, which received up to $954,000 to reintroduce grain farming as a viable business and career path and to finalize a business plan so that Cowessess First Nation can expand its farming operation to 2,000 acres;
• Xaxli'p First Nation, which received up to $88,000 to prepare the community to engage in a number of agricultural activities by conducting a market study, a land capability assessment and an irrigation water source assessment; and
• Bigstone Cree Nation, which will receive up to $131,000 to identify and plan agribusiness opportunities to participate and succeed in Alberta's growing agribusiness sector.

These projects, announced through the Indigenous Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative and the AgriDiversity Program, build on previous federal support of $2.1 million. This includes projects to support Indigenous agriculture and food initiatives undertaken by the Indian Agricultural Program of Ontario (IAPO), the Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC), the Wikwemikong Development Commission, and the Northern Farm Training Institute (NFTI).

The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring Indigenous communities across the country have reliable access to healthy food. Today's announcement builds on existing initiatives, such as the Emergency Food Security Fund and the Nutrition North Canada Program, which strengthen food security, including in Indigenous communities.

Quotes

"Our government is working to create a more inclusive agriculture sector that respects the values of Indigenous Peoples. These investments are intended to ensure that Indigenous Peoples have equal opportunities in the sector, the resources they need to be successful, and access to safe and affordable food."
-       The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

"Indigenous farmers, communities and agri-food entrepreneurs have a strong partner in the Government of Canada. We recognize all of you, as leaders, in building and growing opportunities – from farming, community gardens, traditional foods and agri-entrepreneurs. Indigenous Peoples were the first agricultural innovators and have a unique connection to the land that continues today. Today's announcement will help ensure that Indigenous Peoples can continue to contribute to and share in Canada's economic and agricultural success."
-       The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services

"Our long term goal for 4C Farms is to build a fleet of grain farming equipment to enable our Nation owned farm to occupy Nation owned land. After Chief Kwīwīzance (Cowessess) agreed to Treaty Four, Cowessess First Nation utilized the teachings and tools provided to support an agricultural existence. Overtime Cowessess members were great farmers then Canadian policy made it harder for Cowessess members to farm. Today, we want to revive agriculture and enable our community and its citizens to benefit from the vast amount of arable acres Cowessess First Nation owns. The assistance from AAFC has helped to support the reestablishment of agriculture on Cowessess First Nation."
-       Chief Cadmus Delorme, 4C Farms Ltd

"The Xaxli'p Agriculture Community Readiness (ACR) project, funded by the Indigenous Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, will result in determining key agricultural opportunities for Xaxli'p on the sites of interest, and initial financial feasibility of these opportunities. This project is a steppingstone to business planning and infrastructure improvements."
-       Lyle Leo, Economic Development Officer, Xaxli'p

"Bigstone Cree Nation is proud to accept the funding and support from Indigenous Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative (IAFI) which will assist the Nation in moving forward on the plans to initiate a bison operation, greenhouses and sustainable crops. We look forward to working with Agriculture and Agri Food Canada on various aspects of the agricultural sector which will incorporate our culture, traditional land use and knowledge in the success of our vision. We thank the Minister and everyone that joined this morning to announce and showcase as more Nations move closer toward self sustenance and true reconciliation."
-       Troy Stuart – Land Manager  Bigstone Cree Nation

Quick Facts

• The Indigenous Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative (IAFSI) is a five-year (2018-2023) joint initiative with Indigenous Services Canada funded in part through the Strategic Partnerships Initiative (SPI), an innovative, horizontal initiative that fosters federal coordination to boost indigenous participation in economic growth. IAFSI funding supports Indigenous producers, communities, and organizations who are ready to launch agriculture and food systems projects and others who want to build their capacity to participate in the sector. Applications for IAFSI funding will be accepted until July 31, 2021, for projects to be completed on or before March 31, 2023.
• The AgriDiversity Program, an initiative under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, aims to help under-represented groups in Canadian agriculture, including Indigenous Peoples, youth, women and persons with disabilities, to fully participate in the sector by helping these groups address the key issues and barriers they often face for sector participation.
• Budget 2021 committed an additional $140 million for the Emergency Food Security Fund and Local Food Infrastructure Fund to help emergency hunger relief organizations prevent hunger, strengthen food security in our communities, and provide nutritious food to all Canadians.
• According to Statistics Canada, in 2016, 15,765 people in Canada's agricultural population identified as Indigenous (2.7% of the agricultural population). Indigenous agricultural operators, the majority of which are located in Western Canada, represented 5,160 (1.9%) of the 270,720 agricultural operators in Canada.
• Budget 2021 proposes to provide $163.4 million over three years, starting in 2021-22, to expand the Nutrition North Canada program and enable the Minister of Northern Affairs to work directly with Indigenous partners, including in Inuit Nunangat, to address food insecurity.

Additional Links 

Indigenous Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative
AgriDiversity
Government of Canada announces three projects under the Indigenous Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative
Agriculture in the North: Fostering skills growth and building capacity for Indigenous entrepreneurs

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Backgrounder: Government of Canada support for Indigenous food and agriculture initiatives

The Indigenous Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative (IAFSI) aims to increase and support economic development opportunities for Indigenous Peoples and communities in Canada. This initiative supports Indigenous communities and entrepreneurs who are ready to launch agriculture and food systems projects and others who want to build their capacity to participate in the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector. IAFSI is part of the federal Strategic Partnerships Initiative, which provides a way for federal partners to coordinate their efforts, reduce administrative burden and pool resources in support of Indigenous communities.

The AgriDiversity Program, funded under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, aims to help under-represented groups in Canadian agriculture, including youth, women, Indigenous Peoples, and persons with disabilities fully participate in the sector by helping these groups address the key issues and barriers they often face for sector participation.

The IAFSI recipients announced today are as follows:

Recipient	Province	Project	Federal Support (up to)
4-C FARMS Limited Partnership	Saskatchewan	Finalize a business plan Cowessess First Nation to expand its farm operation to  2,000 acres.	$31,185
Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaq	Nova Scotia	Provide 13 Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq communities with the training and resources required to achieve food sovereignty and economic growth.	$204,199
Cree Nation of Nemaska	Quebec	Implement an LED-based, smart, vertical farm that would grow fruits and vegetables for sale to the community and external markets.	$720,854
Kwadacha First Nation	British Columbia	Provide the knowledge and skills necessary for two members of the community to operate their 10,800 square foot hydroponic greenhouse facility, independently.	$254,019
Xaxli'p First Nation	British Columbia	Prepare the community to engage in a number of agricultural activities by conducting a market study, a land capability assessment and an irrigation water source assessment.	$87,340
Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT)	Saskatchewan	Host a two-day summit that would bring together up to 200 First Nations leaders and other industry leaders to identify opportunities for Indigenous Peoples in the plant-based protein industry.	$176,020
Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve No.292 (TTR)	Manitoba	Conduct research and gather key data to determine the economic viability of a culturally-appropriate, sustainable bison operation within the community.	$73,400
Doig River First Nation	British Columbia	Conduct a feasibility study to assess the viability of a hay farming operation.	$16,898
Lytton First Nation	British Columbia	Provide food processing and preservation infrastructure, equipment, services and resources to local food producers and processors through a Food Hub.	$1,041,831
Bigstone Cree Nation	Alberta	Identify and plan agribusiness opportunities to participate and succeed in Alberta's and Canada's growing agribusiness sector.	$130,566
Kwikwasut'inuxw Haxwa'mis First Nation	British Columbia	Increase food security and economic opportunities for KHFN members living in the village of Gwa'Yas'Dums on Gilford Island.	$126,619
4-C FARMS Limited Partnership	Saskatchewan	Reintroduce grain farming as a viable business and career path for the members of Cowessess First Nation.	$922,728
Poundmaker Cree Nation	Saskatchewan	Develop a business plan to support their participation in agriculture that would help create a community garden and greenhouse.	$15,000
Red Rock First Nation	Ontario	Conduct a feasibility study to determine the long term viability of developing a wild rice cultivation and processing operation.	$19,925
Swan Lake First Nation	Manitoba	Establish a long-term business plan for an Integrated Grassfed Bison Enterprise, with particular focus on risk management and market opportunity analysis.	$308,026

The AgriDiversity recipient announced today is as follows:

Recipient Name	City	Project description	Federal Support Approved (up to)
Indigenous Works Organization Inc.	Saskatchewan	Identify gaps, challenges and opportunities for Indigenous people and organizations to increase their participation and innovation in the agriculture and agri-food sectors in Canada.	$123,406

SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Oliver Anderson, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, [email protected], 613-462-4327; Media Relations, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, 613-773-7972, 1-866-345-7972, [email protected]

Related Links

www.agr.gc.ca