2019 CAFLP Annual Conference Panel Recap: “Indigenous Food Sovereignty”

The Indigenous Food Sovereignty panel featured four speakers who shared their unique perspectives on what the concept means, how they practice it, and why it is important when thinking about food, law, and decolonization.

The November 9th panel was kicked off by Stephen Penner, a doctoral candidate at the University of Guelph, describing his upcoming dissertation. He acknowledged that food is a colonial tool, and explained that he is undertaking a literature review to explore how Indigenous law can inform Indigenous food sovereignty. He shared interesting points of difference between the concepts of food sovereignty and Indigenous food sovereignty. For example, he argued that Indigenous food sovereignty can be used as a tool to reclaim identity and political control, while food sovereignty more generally does not pursue this goal.

Darcy Lindberg of the Faculty of Law at the University of Alberta shared a sacred Cree Creation story with the audience, and explained that this story has always helped him to think about Cree law. He noted that the Cree word for law can also be translated to denote the act of weaving or braiding. He explained that, to this end, Cree law is understood as the combination of various elements, including stories, ceremonies, written laws, and even the way people interact with one another, to create something stronger than its constituent parts. “Laws, like a braid, are strengthened through collectivity,” he said.

Adrianne Lickers Xavier, also a doctoral candidate at Queen’s University, described the extensive community work she has done to provide access to food in her home community of Six Nations. She emphasized the importance, as a Haudenosaunee person, of respecting an obligation not to take more than you need, and to share with others whenever you can. She went on to describe the Three Sisters, and how she is employing this food system as the theoretical framework for her dissertation. She explained that Haudenosaunee peoples were historically large-scale agricultural peoples, and that their method of growing the Three Sisters – corn, beans and squash – can be used to understand law, academia, civil society, and many other sectors and actors that work in relationship with one another to thrive and create change. Lickers Xavier described the Haudenosaunee mound system where the Three Sisters are grown together. She explained these circular mounds can be between four and twenty feet across, with corn growing in the centre that provides a structure for the climbing beans that are planted around it. Then, squash is planted around the beans to provide coverage and cooling for the soil, while the squash leaves funnel water directly to the soil. She noted that corn and beans grow extremely well together, because corn needs high quantities of nitrogen and beans actually put nitrogen into the soil. She stressed that the Three Sisters, together, provide all of the sustenance humans need to thrive if other foods are not available. Lickers Xavier concluded by stressing that “our job is not to just know that Indigenous knowledge is out there, but to stop and think about what you’re going to eat, and who you’re going to share [food] with. To say, ‘I have enough,’ and ask, ‘would you like some?’”

Knowledge Holder Mark Sault of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation described education he does with young students in his community each year. He explained that he helps to set up various stations for students to learn how to clean rice, corn, and fish, and expressed delight at how some students have such a natural skill for these tasks. He also emphasized the importance of not taking more than is needed from the land, and of offering thanks for what is provided. “If you take it all, it’s not going to come back,” he warned.

While taking questions, an audience member asked how progress can be made to support food sovereignty for Indigenous peoples living in urban settings. In response, Lindberg highlighted one thing that can be done: “give land back.” He encouraged the audience to think about “do[ing] whatever you can in your organizations,” and especially, “to provide spaces, community gardens, and whatever else you can do.”

Sarah NixonComment