Decolonizing the Table - An Evening on Indigenous Food Sovereignty, 13th October, Toronto

Join Indigenous leaders from across Canada exploring the front-line stories and struggles of Indigenous peoples as distinct nations who are working to build food sovereignty.

Serving as the launch event of FSC’s 9th Assembly, Resetting the Table in Toronto, this gathering at the Ryerson Theatre on Thursday 13th October at 7pm is open to the public.

Indigenous food systems are deeply connected to Indigenous economies, cultures, health, and wellbeing. Fundamental values of respect, responsibility, reciprocity, and redistribution once guided relations in the diverse network of Indigenous food systems across Canada. Coast to coast to coast , Indigenous food actionists are decolonizing body, mind, and spirit by rebuilding food sovereignty in their households, communities, and nations. This opening plenary will explore the front-line stories and struggles of Indigenous peoples as distinct nations who are working to build food sovereignty.

Dawn Morrison, Secwepemc, Director, Working Group on Indigenous Food Sovereignty, who will speak at the event explains:

"The term food sovereignty is not a new reality for Indigenous peoples who many consider are the key to conserving the worlds bio-cultural diversity and heritage. Many of the worlds staple food crops are contributions by Indigenous peoples, yet we have been made invisible in the mainstream framework for research and development. This has negatively impacted our ability to respond to our own needs for healthy amounts of culturally appropriate Indigenous foods in the forests, fields and waterways. The opening plenary will bring together Indigenous knowledge holders and strategists to discuss the ways in which Indigenous nations and communities are working to achieve food sovereignty in the 4th world reality in which we live in a 1st world country like Canada".

Other speakers include:

• Fulvio Gioanetto, Agroecology Consultant, Purépecha Nation;
• Joseph Leblanc, Food Secure Canada;
• Dan Longboat, Trent University;
• Dawn Morrison, Working Group on Indigenous Food Sovereignty;
• Leesee Papatsie, Feeding my Family, Nunavut.

The event will be MCed by Anishinaabe writer and comedian Ryan McMahon, MC, (Red Man Laughing)

Following the shocking evidence of high food prices revealed in FSC’s latest research Paying for Nutrition: A Report on Food Costing in the North, this event is timely. Hear how Indigenous food actionists are decolonizing body, mind, and spirit by working to rebuild food sovereignty in their households, communities, and nations.

How to register:

Tickets to the event are available at the door, $20 or $5 for those on a low income (cash only). We will not turn anybody away if cost is a barrier to participation. Proceeds will be used to support the work of the Northern and Remote Food program of FSC. Admission is included as part of the delegate package for those attending Resetting the Table.

You can also register online with Eventbrite today.

Join Resetting the Table, Food Secure Canada’s 9th Assembly (Toronto - October 13-16, 2016).