Governments supporting Indigenous Agriculture

The governments of Canada and Manitoba are investing in the revitalization of traditional food systems under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn announced today.

The program is aimed at increasing food security, training and resource development, and expanding Indigenous participation in Manitoba’s growing agriculture and agri-food sectors.

This year, 26 projects have been funded, totalling $1.52 million, and applications are now open for next year’s funding.

The 26 projects funded through Sustainable CAP include:

• Long Plain First Nation’s Community Wellness’s Hunting and Gathering, Foraging and Processing project will enhance current community food systems through the development of new food harvesting and preservation processes to ensure that food is properly preserved and available for consumption throughout the year.
• Arctic Buying Company Kivalliq Inc.’s Niriqatiginnga, a Northern Food Systems Innovation project will address issues of food insecurity with northern Indigenous communities through a collaborative approach, engaging farmers, food producers and system innovators on ways to create an approach where northern and Indigenous communities, youth and Elders are actively involved in addressing and enhancing northern food systems.
• Aki Foods will purchase equipment to enhance crop productivity and the quality of harvested goods, including grains, vegetables, fruits, herbs, poultry and eggs.