‘Braiding Food Systems: Co-constructing Indigenous Seed Systems in Northern Ontario’
The Braiding Food Systems (BFS) project is a collaboration between Red Rock Indian Band, Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg and Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek . The BFS project is funded by Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA) and the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance.
The project aims to collaborate with First Nations to co-develop and re-localize seed systems in Northern Ontario and to support food security and food sovereignty.
Some members of the BFS research team worked with community members and an Elder to build raised garden beds at Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek (Rocky Bay First Nation). The BFS research team is very grateful and honored for the opportunity to work with and learn from the community.
Geese, an Elder from Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek (formerly known as Rocky Bay First Nation), graciously prepared meals for the community and visiting researchers involved with the BFS research project. The BFS team is deeply grateful to Geese for his support and kindness.
Professor Silvia Sarapura (on the left), the Principal Investigator of the BFS research project, is presenting tobacco to Anna Gugelyk (on the right), a community elder and knowledge keeper from Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg (Pic Mobert First Nation). The BFS research team deeply appreciates Elder Anna’s kindness and support in the project.
Dr. Paul Benalcazar, a postdoctoral fellow with the BFS research project, and Corina Thompson, a knowledge keeper and community representative, are at the Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek (Rocky Bay First Nation) community garden, discussing and planning about plants. Corina, an avid gardener with extensive experience in keeping Indigenous seeds, is a community champion for the project.
At the Heart of Every Seed Lies the Future of Our Food Systems.