In 2022, Miikana Consulting conducted a community-led food sovereignty assessment for the Understanding Our Food Systems project. The goal was to assess and strengthen local and regional food systems across 14 First Nations communities, with guidance rooted in Anishinaabe values and the 13 Moons framework.
Nine communities participated, involving over 150 community members. The assessment explored how each community accesses good food from internal and external sources, resulting in key themes and actionable recommendations.
Key Themes:
Food preparation workshops
Gardening and homesteading
School-based education
Community and youth engagement
Transportation
Land stewardship
Recommendations:
Short-term:
Engage local experts in food-related knowledge sharing
Provide training on gardening, preserving, and cooking
Medium-term:
Facilitate knowledge exchange across communities (e.g., camps and workshops)
Distribute 13 Moons resources to schools
Long-term:
Support informed decisions on industrial impacts to traditional lands
Advocate for flexible, community-responsive funding
These findings now guide annual planning, resource development, and partnerships for the Understanding Our Food Systems project.
