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REPORT FOR FOOD AND NUTRITION SECURITY In ensuring physical and economic access to safe and nutritious food, a holistic approach involving stakeholders from all spheres across the food system is required. The priority actions needed to achieve this course include;  Ensuring safety of lives and properties of all Nigerians  Provision of modern equipment for farmer at subsidized costs to boost large scale production  Equipping farmers with the technical skills required to operate such equipment  Development of improved and climate-sensitive seeds  Data management to enhance informe... قراءة المزيدd decision  Provision of infrastructures like modern storage facilities and good transport network  Regulatory agencies to oversee pricing system Who are the stakeholders needed for the actions  The Government: Tackling the insecurity problem in the country, price regulation, subsidizing farm inputs and equipment  Research Institutes and Academia: Carrying out scientific researches on modern ways of increasing production of nutritious food and man power capacity building  Extension Services: Transforming the research findings and innovative methods from the researches to the farmers and  Non-Government Organizations and Private Sector: Assist in research, funding, training  Nigerian Youths: The task of involvement in the food and agricultural sector falls on the youths قراءة القليل

REPORT ON CONSUMER EDUCATION The priority actions needed in empowering consumers to make informed and healthy food choices include;  Revision of the national food based dietary guideline  Investing in research  Regulations on product advertisement  Consumer education on food wastage  Use of Front pack labeling system on food products  Adopting behavioral change communication in advocacy  Leveraging on the mass media as a means of education  Incorporating Community Supported Agriculture by consumers as a means of providing food independently  Eliminating misinformatio... قراءة المزيدn through strong regulations and monitoring of food companies as regard food product labeling Who are the stakeholders needed for this action  Communication Experts: Employ Behavior change communication in educating consumers  Consumers: the will and power to change lies on the consumer  Government: Regulation of food labels and unhealthy products advertisement as well as advocacy through National Orientation Agency  Food Companies: Produce healthy foods and build trust with correct information on labels  Private Sector/NGOs: Help in advocacy, research and training How to measure impact  Employing baseline and post-implementation data on consumer knowledge, attitude and practices Possible Challenges  Adherence to policies and regulation by the food companies  Corruption on the part of the regulatory bodies  Consumer rigidity and unwillingness to accept change قراءة القليل

REPORT ON CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE The priority actions needed to improve climate-smart initiatives while ensure production include;  Employing smart initiatives that require lesser natural resources and produces more food such as hydroponic, aeroponics, etc.  Training and Orientation of farmers on smart and modern initiatives  Harnessing technological innovations like drone system and precision farming  Reducing greenhouse gases emissions by modifying ruminant diet and embracing ranching system  Improved researches on development of climate sensitive inputs  Provision of fu... قراءة المزيدnding to farmers majorly in form of subsidies Who are the key stakeholders?  Government: Subsidizing the cost of modern tools and improved inputs  Extension Agents: Training and orientation of farmers on modern practices  Private Sector/NGOs: Complement the work of the government Possible Challenges  Illiteracy of most small scale farmers  Unwillingness to accept new methods قراءة القليل

REPORT ON FOOD TRADE The priority actions needed to improve food trade in the food system context include;  Addressing the insecurity in the country in a bid to reduce food inflation  Policy Formulation  Leveraging on Agriculture as a tool for combating youth unemployment  Advocacy for change of unfavourable policies  Provision of funding and support for small-medium scale enterprise  Prioritization of Nutrition and Agriculture Who are the key Actors?  Government: There is need for support, policies and enabling environment that will encourage youth participation in agricu... قراءة المزيدlture  Youths: involvement in the food value chain and call for policy change from the government  Private Sector/NGOs: Capacity building and Advocacy Possible Challenges  Unwillingness of youths to go into agriculture Indicator for Success  Increased youth involvement in Agriculture  Reduced unemployment indices  Reduction in Food prices and inflation  Increased in food production قراءة القليل

REPORT ON FIN-TECH FOR RESILIENCE In Nigeria, small holder farmers contribute more than 80% of Nigeria’s domestic input. However, farmers still make use of age long techniques in the agricultural processes. Because of this, optimal production is not guaranteed with challenges such as; climate conditions, insecurity, poor funding and the likes. The introduction of technology such as precision soil sampling, drone technology, nitrogen censors, data science among others will help improve production and profit for farmers which in turn have an effect on the food system supply chain. However, in ... قراءة المزيدNigeria, for most farmers, this is not the case and this is because of the following challenges: • Poor farm planning • Little/lack of education of farmers leading to inability to make use of some of these technologies • Lack of funding as some of the technology require capital • Lack of technical know-how The priority actions needed for improving resilience to shocks and stress include;  Policy formulation  Provision of funding especially in subsidizing the premium on insurance for farmers in a bid to ensure they are well equipped to tackle risks and future shocks  Public private partnership  Equipping farmers with the technical skills required to handle innovations  Investment in Data Analytics to foresee oncoming stress  Education of farmers on how to access funding, best ways to avoid risks and how to maximize the market for profit  Education of non-farmers on the need to pay attention and get involved in agriculture through investment. The stakeholders needed for the implementation of these actions are;  Government:  Private Sector/NGOs: Partnership with the government in providing technical serv  Extension Officers: There is need for training and education of farmers on modern methods of farming and use of modern equipment  Insurance Likely challenges to be faced during implementation  Illiteracy of most small holder farmers  Lack of will to change from conventional methods  Fear of past experiences قراءة القليل

• Most stakeholders agreed that tackling the security challenges of our country should be prioritized • Adopting behavioural change communication is imminent for sustainability • Employing climate-smart agriculture to mitigate the effect of climate change is a field that needs further exploration

Despite Africa’s endowment with abundant arable land and vast water resources, its agricultural sector is unable to supply enough food to the continent. With a rapidly growing youth population expected to double to over 830 million by 2050, youths remain Africa’s greatest asset for its Food System Transformation. Nigeria, the most population African country with over 43% of its population as youths ranks 98th of 107 countries on the 2020 Global Hunger Index. With less youths involved in the food and agricultural sector, the need for youth inclusion in transforming the broken food system is... قراءة المزيد imperative. The dialogue was tagged, “Addressing the Food System Dynamics: Nigerian Youths as Frontline Actors” and focused on five (5) sub-themes all tailored towards the five action tracks. The sub-themes ranked from food and nutrition security, consumer education, climate-smart agriculture, food trade and globalization and finally to fin-tech for resilience. Being an independent dialogue centered on youth inclusion, it served as an invitation to the Nigerian youths to be engaged, to be innovative and to propose solutions while recognizing that one size does not fit all. It emphasized the complexity of the food system and further stresses the need for a holistic approach in tackling the broken food system. The dialogue also served as a learning platform to the youths as it featured panel sessions anchored by adept youths from all spheres across the food system who talked on various innovative approaches, possible challenges and solutions in their respective fields. The overall objective of the independent dialogue is to engage Nigerian youths in unraveling critical issues militating our food system and proffering realistic and workable ways of tackling them. قراءة القليل

The recommendations from Impact Nutrition Africa Initiative Food System Summit Dialogue are as follows; 1. The Government should address the insecurity challenges of the country 2. Provision of infrastructures to foster physical and economic access to food 3. Investing in Data to foster decision making 4. Improving extension services among both public and private sector 5. Advocacy on food loss and wastage 6. Reviving regulatory and monitoring agencies 7. Investing in research and technological innovations 8. Encourage youth involvement in Agriculture and food supply chain 9. Reducing greenhou... قراءة المزيدse gases emissions by modifying ruminant diet and embracing ranching system 10. Public-Private Partnership in rendering Agricultural services 11. Development of a national dietary guideline قراءة القليل

Many of the participants in attendance had shared experiences and perspectives on the challenges and ways forward for transforming the many forms of isolation in their communities. Most of the dialogue was held in solidarity and support of contributions made and shared. So while there were no areas of divergence in our dialogue, we discussed topics such as imported foods, political isolation, water and land usage, school programming and curriculum, and knowledge systems that might surface areas of divergence with a larger audience with different stakeholders. We exposed areas of divergence whi... قراءة المزيدch have led to forms of isolation for Indigenous Peoples’ communities and their food systems. Transforming isolation will require engaging with these interrelated areas of divergence. قراءة القليل

The focus of the April 15th Dialogue was about how Indigenous Peoples of North America and the Hawaiian Islands are Transforming Isolation in their communities and food systems. Denisa Livingston (Diné Nation), Appointed Member of the Champions Network of the UN Food Systems Summit, and Jane Lokomaika'ikeakua Au (Kanaka ‘Ōiwi, Native Hawaiian) Program Director at 'Āina Momona and Pacific representative and vice co-chair of the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform (LCIPP), Facilitative Working Group, with Mikaila Way, Indigenous Peoples’ Liaison for North America with United... قراءة المزيد Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, hosted and co-moderated the dialogue. This dialogue’s topic, “transforming isolation”, examined the diverse ways communities face isolation, particularly in connection to food, and the ways we are or would like to transform that separation and remoteness to abundance, autonomy, and accessibility. Isolation as a topic included geographic isolation we face in rural and remote areas, the forms of isolation posed by COVID-19 and other historical illnesses, an isolation of resources and inaccessibility to traditional practices and diets, as well as the political isolation and the drastic repercussions it has on our lands, waters, food systems, and our people. Jane Au introduced the topic in direct relation to the ways current food systems in Hawaii are ruled by our geographic isolation. In her community, there is a huge overdependence on barge shipments for their needed goods. Currently 85% of food in Hawai’i is shipped in, and there are very few resources on the island to ensure their food security in the event of disaster. And yet, in light of this alarming fact, there is a firm belief amongst power holders and decision makers that our traditional food ways, which were once able to feed well over 1 million people in their islands, without causing harm or imbalance to the surrounding natural environment, and with no dependance on outside shipping, are unrealistic. Despite the frailty of relying on shipments for over 80% of needed food, there is an unwillingness by the so called “State” to invest in and commit to traditional food systems, leaving us isolated in numerous ways. With the finite space on their islands continually going to foreign development and tourism rather than local food production, and the climate crisis impacting shipments and access to resources worldwide, her communities are in a constant state of vulnerability, and still, our Indigenous technologies and solutions, our traditional practices, and systems, are ignored and deemed unviable. In holding our [Indigenous] worldviews and systems as impractical, we as a people, are cast away, unconsidered, unprotected, and isolated in our own homes. Two of the action tracks connected to this talk are AT4- Advancing Equitable Livelihoods and AT2 - Shifting to Sustainable Consumption Patterns. In addition to the various isolations we face connected to food, we must also consider the isolation caused by our lack of human rights. By our continued colonization and marginalization on our own lands. How do these forms of isolation impact our food systems and land use specifically, and how do we create lasting abundance after generations of scarcity and solitude? Looking at the ways we are conditioned into solitude, into isolation, is necessary for change. It is even more crucial that we look at the ways we have overcome these types of isolation, how we gather and create abundance in our communities, and how we resist the constant pull towards erasure. In dialogue, we explored the topic of isolation with two questions: (1) what challenges and experiences with isolation does your community face? In thinking of food systems specifically, what ways do you face isolation? (2) what must be done to transform current isolations into abundance, liberation, and accessibility? How do we create momentum around these goals? قراءة القليل

Indigenous Peoples endure isolation in our lived realities: The numerous ways we face isolation in connection to food and wellness in Hawai’i is a predicament that leads us to realize what is perhaps the most pressing isolation we all face, and that is the isolation of our lived realities. The people that we are outside of books, conferences and papers, so often the real struggles we face, the real isolation we feel, is having no viable means to assert our realities - our systems and ways of being, as truth - as something real. As Indigenous People, we continue to face isolation in the const... قراءة المزيدant pressure to assimilate to a colonizing view - of food, of health, of all types of governance. Of all ways of being. Roots of isolation stemming from colonization: While Kanaka ‘Ōiwi (Native Hawaiian) are not typically connected to Turtle Island geographically, when it comes to shared traditions, food, cultures, and language we have more connections to communities in the Pacific. Though when it comes to colonization we [Kanaka ‘Ōiwi] share the government of the United States as a colonizer and as such share many of the same challenges as our siblings on Turtle Island. The present realities of isolation in its different forms and impacts are a modern struggle for us. The seek and conquer, individualistic, and resource division mentalities of colonization have deeply disrupted and caused destruction of our Indigenous approaches and values of collective, shared resources, collective stewardship, shared responsibilities, ruling for the collective wellness, and relational connections with our surroundings and non-human relatives. Isolation was a foreign concept in systems of interconnectedness and international systems of existence. A form of isolation is colonization, there is colonial agriculture of monocropping of pineapple and sugar only with depleted water sources transforming our entire landscapes with land devastation. We have become dependent on unsustainable practices: As an effect and outcome of isolation from our lands, waters, traditional lifeways and diets, knowledge systems, languages, communities, etc. - we have become dependent on unsustainable practices and ways of life engrossed in the current individual-focused and dominant culture society. Oftentimes the foods we eat, the ways we live, the places we live, the jobs we work, the ways we earn money and exist in the present day are reliant on the extractive economies, industrialized food systems, and non-representative political institutes. Our dependence on unsustainable practices has been for survival and default. Indigenous Peoples face isolation in dominant-culture knowledge systems: With colonialism and processes of assimilation, our Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge systems have been dismissed as inferior, uncivilized, unscientific, folklore, and illegitimate. And yet, our generational systems of knowledge and sophisticated methods of observation, systemic approach, and adaptations have sustained our societies since time immemorial while sustaining and expanding the ecological health and biodiversity of the planet. While there is growing awareness and interest in higher education institutes and research centers to better include and integrate Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge systems, there is still a wide and deep gap in the recognition, representation, and inclusion of Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge, research, and innovation in dominant-culture knowledge systems. Urban Native communities deal with many forms of isolation: Many urban Indigenous/Native communities are facing isolation from resources to traditional practices and diets, as well as the political isolation of not being represented or having the legal autonomy that tribal governments have on a reservation (USA) or reserve (Canada). As urban Indigenous peoples, many of us lose our access to lands, waters, and natural resources for hunting, fishing, growing, generating and harvesting our traditional foods. We do not have political representation or coverage by the same institutions and government support as relatives are on reservations. Urban centers, like Detroit, are also facing a new colonial process of gentrification concentrating development in the downtown and ignoring neighborhoods where there are larger populations of People of Color, further exacerbating isolation from resources and safe, healthy neighborhoods. Indigenous communities are facing higher risks of resource isolation from extreme weather events: For rural, reservation and island communities, large storms and extreme weather events have caused resource and political isolation as a result of their geographic isolation. For Hawai’i, large storms have caused delays of barge deliveries of food and water supplies leading to extreme food and resources shortages. For reservations, large storms have caused long power outages, sometimes leading to massive loss of frozen meats and traditional foods put up. Power outages can cause huge food loss that happens swiftly and is difficult for some communities to recover from. Isolation from Indigenous cultures, stories, communities and non-human relatives: Isolation or undesired disconnection from their elders, the teachings and stories of their cultures, their non-human relatives from lands and waters, and separation from traditional seeds. These forms of social and cultural isolation are leading to the loss and erosion of our Indigenous knowledge, languages, intergenerational connections and our cultural ways of life. It leaves deep, unresolved longing and emotion. قراءة القليل

Our dialogue centered around two sets of questions: (1) what challenges and experiences with isolation does your community face? In thinking of food systems specifically, what ways do you face isolation? (2) what must be done to transform current isolations into abundance, liberation, and accessibility? How do we create momentum around these goals? As noted in the main findings, isolation is not something we have felt before as Indigenous Peoples. We must reframe and transform our isolation before it becomes trauma, we must build a network to support each other. Some specific ideas and urgent ... قراءة المزيدactions generated from the conversation include: Build our food sovereignty initiatives: urban, rural and intertribally, continue to design and promote programming and support for Indigenous Peoples living in urban and rural landscapes to transform our food landscapes. Creating urban food sovereignty Initiatives and collectives: to address the many forms of isolation that urban Native/Indigenous communities face, participates spoke to the initiatives they are leading in Detroit to build food sovereignty initiatives focused on education, alliance and capacity building, community decision making bodies, public park and urban land use for food growing spaces, and looking at how land resources can be stewarded collectively in urban landscapes. Establish local food sovereignty alliances as a decision-making body for community decisions: A community body for decision-making is a model that has been created and applied by urban Native communities to facilitate community decision making processes. This idea was brought forward as a way to build community capacity and collaborations towards food systems/community transformations. Improve the thought and design behind land and water use: Many participants shared that where they live, land is not being used effectively to improve their communities health or safety. Instead, many expressed the opposite. Our dialogue stimulated ideas and thoughts of how collaborations could be developed in urban and rural communities to transform land and water use so that communities are better cared for, safer, and promote health. In some areas, this may require the cooperation of many municipalities and different stakeholder groups. One such example is approaching city governments for community garden spaces in city parks, this is working in some cities. Focus on local capacity building for growing food and decision-making to produce and preserve food ways: Similar to other urgent actions recommended, in Hawai’i there are strong examples of locally-led, Indigenous initiatives dedicated to achieving environmental health and sustainability through restoring social justice and to de-occupying Hawaiian lands. Teams in Hawai’i are currently working to restore traditional food systems on the island Molokai, where we are also engaged in a number of land back and land restoration initiatives, working to get our aina and resources back into community hands, under the care of our Indigenous stewards. Create Indigenous innovation tracks in higher education institutes: University of Hawai’i - West Oahu has an Indigenous Studies track that includes Sustainable Communities Food Systems course - where students, many who are Native Hawaiian students, are learning foundational practices and values, working with Indigenous Science and transforming their educational experience; there is an entire degree focused on Indigenous led restoration work. These tracks of study are opening up opportunities for Indigenous and non-indigenous students alike to build capacity, be supported in their advancement and give rightful validation to their knowledge base and innovations. قراءة القليل

continued - Our dialogue centered around two sets of questions: (1) what challenges and experiences with isolation does your community face? In thinking of food systems specifically, what ways do you face isolation? (2) what must be done to transform current isolations into abundance, liberation, and accessibility? How do we create momentum around these goals? As noted in the main findings, isolation is not something we have felt before as Indigenous Peoples. We must reframe and transform our isolation before it becomes trauma, we must build a network to support each other. Some specific ideas... قراءة المزيد and urgent actions generated from the conversation include: Connect to our environment and teach Youth cultural ways to stay connected: We have to be connected to our environment. We do that by teaching our Youth to do that, by teaching the prayers and ceremonies to provide them with the additional understanding. Indigenous elders on the call are committed to making sure they do their part in teaching the children, the language, the roots of their language, and emphasizing the importance of knowing the traditional words. This is all part of revitalizing our cultural practices and agriculture practices. The teachings include the seeds, the soils, how to care for the space and themselves. The learning goes beyond the land. We need to get knowledgeable to be aware of what our environment is, everyday using this knowledge like an instrument with value to be deeply rooted in our traditional ways. Revitalizing connections to Indigenous Seeds: Indigenous networks across the region are helping connect the seeds with communities of origin; so many places where the seeds are isolated from the people where they are from. There are stories connected to the heirloom and Indigenous seeds, that tell about where the plants are from and how our ancestors migrated with the seeds from different regions to where they are now. These stories of origin are part of the knowledge that needs to be revived in our communities and our youth. Sustain intergenerational connections and teachings: Growing Together is a program in New Mexico that brings youth and elders together to grow food together. The program has been very successful in building strong relationships and honoring ancient knowledge. Elders and youth in this program feel it is so important to have these relationships. It has been difficult to sustain the program through the pandemic. In this opportunity, the elders share sacred knowledge with youth, and youth give their agility and strength to plant, and do the physical work that is hard for the elders. The youth also help to teach the elders about technology and new information. This program is working to ensure the intergenerational relationships and knowledge is kept. Work with allies to amplify stories and advance advocacy: It is important to work with advocates and allies to the federal and local governments that can advance the priorities of Indigenous communities. Some non-indigenous participants share that there is receptivity in allies to make the changes. Allies can help to amplify the stories and priorities from Indigenous Peoples to further propel the needed change. Such cross-cultural and interagency collaborations are important for building relationships with allies and one another. قراءة القليل

In dialogue, we discussed two main questions: (1) what are the challenges and experiences that need to be shared about your communities regarding traditional harvesting?, and (2) as we strive to reduce food losses and improve access to our own foods, what are some strategies to improve this? The following discussion outcomes are a summary of the participants’ views on actions that are urgently needed for the protection and preservation of traditional harvesting. Create protected areas: Under the leadership of Indigenous Nations, governments, private landowners, commercial and recreational in... قراءة المزيدdustries need to create protected areas and agreements that uphold the rights of Indigenous Peoples’ rights to self-determination, traditional hunting and sustaining their lifeways. Opportunities for Indigenous Youth: We agreed that Indigenous-led initiatives to educate our youth is a priority to pass down these teachings, language in schools, teachings from the elders. Participants agreed it is of utmost importance that Elders continue to gather to teach the younger generations, and increase these types of programs in other Indigenous communities. Some participants noted that for some elders, traumas are holding them back from teaching their grandchildren. It was agreed that if the elders are willing, these traumas need to be healed for their health and for their ability to share with the grandchildren. Unwavering commitment to future generations: Elders who participated in the dialogue expressed their unwavering commitment and responsibility to teach the younger generations. Lorraine Netro and Kerry Prosper both expressed their personal dedication to teaching and training the younger members of their communities to hunt, fish, gather, and carry forward their traditional harvesting methods, Indigenous languages, and traditional knowledge. They carry forward this dedication despite the challenges and diminishing resources holding onto the beacon that, “when the fish return their children will still know how to fish”. Transmission of Traditional Knowledge and Skills to Younger Generations is being compromised: The changes and challenges to our ways of life from climate change, environmental degradation, and economic hardship are affecting how elders are able to pass on teachings and skills to their children and grandchildren. Grandmothers and grandfathers in the dialogue expressed, “it is my responsibility today to teach my grandchildren, and yet we are challenged in so many ways. To teach our young hunters how to harvest, and our young women our responsibilities.” Further expressing that some of the knowledge and skills cannot be passed on because the places of harvest no longer exist, like fish camps and hunting grounds. Teaching and respecting rights of treaties, change the culture of priorities: Treaty Rights, histories and current arrangements need to be taught at all levels with Indigenous communities. There is a need for a broader understanding and knowledge of the Treaty Rights that Indigenous Peoples hold across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The teaching and respecting of the treaties, can also be taught in combination with teaching/shifting cultural values towards respect, reciprocity, balance, harmony and relational values. Such teachings and values can be taught in schools, on up through government municipalities, private sector, civil society and conservation organizations, development sector etc. Indigenous Peoples need to come together to form coalitions to exercise their rights: We agreed that too often tribal nations are operating in silos and leading fragmented efforts. Many participants felt that tribal nations, tribal governments, and Indigenous-led initiatives need to break down the tribal silos and start working together, creating more intertribal work. It’s going to take creativity to address these issues, to reactivate our lifeways. How do we adapt to climate change in harvesting food? In all aspects of life? This is an urgent and unanswered question raised by elders in the dialogue, and suggested as one we all need to ask ourselves. قراءة القليل

continued - In dialogue, we discussed two main questions: (1) what are the challenges and experiences that need to be shared about your communities regarding traditional harvesting?, and (2) as we strive to reduce food losses and improve access to our own foods, what are some strategies to improve this? The following discussion outcomes are a summary of the participants’ views on actions that are urgently needed for the protection and preservation of traditional harvesting. Importance of community gardens in rural and urban areas: We agreed that community gardens are an important step toward... قراءة المزيدs creating the collective resources and food growing spaces we need going forward. These community gardens are important in urban areas as well as rural areas alike. They create opportunities for intergenerational knowledge sharing, learning, while improving the access and quality of local food sources. To carry ourselves with the idea of hope. It took many generations to get to this point of destruction, it may take many generations to recover. In closing, this was important advice shared by some of our speakers. The stories and experiences shared during our dialogue were heavy and disheartening in many ways. The reminder to carry ourselves with hope and a long term vision was an important way to close. The values in our traditions is what the world needs to hear today, our traditional values: there was a common theme through the dialogue and actionable next steps about the importance of our [Indigenous Peoples’] traditional values. This speaks to the core of the issues the world is facing. Our traditional values have sustained our lifeways and relationships of reciprocity with the ecosystems we are a part of, these traditional values are central to our survival and they have much to teach the rest of the world. قراءة القليل

Many of the participants in attendance had shared experiences and perspectives on the challenges and ways forward for traditional harvesting practices in their communities. Most of the dialogue was held in solidarity and support of contributions made and shared. So while there were not areas of divergence in our dialogue, we touched upon topics such as commercial industries, recreational fishing, pulp mills, coastal developments for tourism, and private landowner access issues that might raise points of divergence with a larger audience with different stakeholders. Private landowners have revo... قراءة المزيدked access to lands and waters of traditional harvesting sites: An additional challenge that many Indigenous Peoples’ communities are facing is reduced and diminishing access to harvesting grounds, fishing rivers and coastal areas due to private property owners revoking our [Indigenous] historical access, and more development that destroys harvesting areas or limits our access. Fishermen and fisherwomen are facing violent attacks when exercising their treaty rights: Some of our brothers and sisters who fish and catch lobster, especially along the Atlantic coast of Canada, are facing violent attacks and targeted destruction of their fishing equipment and warehouses for exercising our treaty rights. They are being attacked by non-Indigenous fishers who are not able to fish at the same times as Indigenous fishers due to the differences and rights stated in our treaties. This conflict has caused great danger and destruction for the Indigenous fishers of the Atlantic coast of Canada. Impacts of commercial industries and government endorsed activity on traditional harvesting: Indigenous food/subsistence fisheries are seeing the impact of commercial fisheries on their food fisheries and rivers. According to Indigenous fishers from Canada in the dialogue, there are a number of court cases endorsed by the Canadian government that continue to mitigate and entice commercial and recreational fishing. This also goes for government leased lands that are permitting the clear cuts of forests for pulp mills. The clear cut areas are affecting the ecosystems of the forests and health of the wildlife, including the moose that Indigenous communities traditionally harvest in the area as a main source of protein. قراءة القليل

The focus of our April 8th Dialogue was on the centrality of Traditional Harvesting in Indigenous Peoples’ food systems of North America, and some of the related challenges and priorities that Indigenous Peoples’ communities are facing with their traditional harvesting. Denisa Livingston, (Diné Nation), UNFSS Appointed Member of the Champions Network, and Mikaila Way, Indigenous Peoples’ Liaison for North America with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, hosted this dialogue and co-moderated with Ken Paul from the Wolastoqey First Nation of New Brunswick, Canada. Ken Pa... قراءة المزيدul is the lead negotiator and researcher for his First Nation’s fisheries. Denisa and Ken were joined by guest speakers, Chef Justin Pioche (Navajo), Kerry Prosper (Mi’kmaq First Nation), and Lorraine Netro (Gwitch’in Nation). Chef Justin Pioche recently joined the network of UN Food Systems Summit Food Heroes, he is the executive chef and founder of Pioche Food Group, a Navajo owned and operated food service company. Kerry Prosper, of the Mi'kmaq Nation (in Nova Scotia, Canada) spoke about fish harvesting including the American eels and moose hunting along the Atlantic coastal areas. Lorraine Netro, Gwitchin Nation (in Old Crow, Yukon, Canada) spoke about caribou harvesting, salmon fishing, wild plant harvesting and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Through the dialogues, we incorporated traditional harvesting into the stated goals and priorities of these Action Tracks: Action Track 1: Ensure access to safe and nutritious food for all by including traditional and safe food products as part of the goal to increase availability of nutritious, traditional food harvests (such as hunting, fishing and gathering), making food more affordable and reducing inequalities in access to food. Action Track 3: Boost nature-positive production to optimize environmental resources use to include Indigenous Peoples’ traditional harvesting and stewardship/natural resource management; by addressing constraints facing Indigenous hunters, fishers, and gatherers, along with smallholder farmers and small-scale enterprises; to also support food system governance that realigns connections and regenerative use of traditional lands and waters. Treaties do not give us our rights as Indigenous Peoples, they identify them in legal documents and legally binding agreements between sovereign nations. They are the supreme law of the land, and need to be upheld as such. Indigenous Peoples have and continue to lead long fought political battles for protection: Internationally and domestically, we [Indigenous Peoples] have and continue to lead long, hard fights for protection for the lands, waters, territories, and habitats of the plants and animals central to their food systems and cultures. To open this event, Lorraine Netro of the Gwich’in Nation shared the story of their over 40 year dedication to advocating for the protection of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in Alaska for permanent protection from oil and gas development. The areas within the ANWR are called the “Place where Life Begins” in the Gwich’in language is they are the calving grounds for the Porcupine Caribou Herd that have sustained their People since time immemorial. The Gwich’in Nation’s make their homes along the migratory routes of the Porcupine caribou herd, their traditional territory spans what is now known as Northwest Territories and Yukon Territory in Canada and northeast Alaska in the United States. The recent commitments from the Biden Administration and Trudeau Administration to protect the ANWR and ban any oil and gas development there is a huge victory for the Gwich’in Nation. Elder Lorraine Netro expressed that the Elders and People feel they have finally been heard, and have so much work still to do. قراءة القليل

Realities of extreme food insecurity and altered lives from climate change: Lorraine Netro and participants accounted experiences of facing extreme food shortages and insecurities, with some instances directly correlated with the impacts of climate change. Within Indigenous Nations, the hunters, fishers and trappers are the field experts. They have seen dramatic changes in the landscapes, waters, migration patterns, fish runs, and decline in species as climate change impacts of melting permafrost, warmer waters, less ice pack, fires, more extreme storms, more extreme droughts and other environ... قراءة المزيدmental conditions change at increasing rates. These changes and challenges impact every aspect of our [Indigenous Peoples’] lives - our health, well-being, spirituality, emotional health, etc. Traditional Harvesting grounds and waters are disappearing as are the animals: For many of our communities, we can no longer hunt and fish on the lands and in the waters where we have been stewarding and harvesting for generations. In some instances, this is because the salmon no longer return to the rivers where they used to run in plenty. In other rivers, due to large clear cuts and deforestation, the rivers have become too warm to sustain fish populations native to the rivers. In the case of migratory species, like the caribou, their migrational patterns have changed because the permafrost is melting and they can no longer cross their historical migration routes. Some of the inland lakes in the far north have dried up, and the animals are no longer in areas that have been traditional hunting grounds for generations. Also related to climate change and changing conditions, the changes and lessening of ice packs is affecting fishers ability to harvest species during the winter such as the American Eels on the Atlantic coast. Where ice packs usually form in November, ice packs did not form until February during Winter 2021. In areas of massive clear cuts, it has altered the species composition of the forest ecosystems leading to disease and massive die off of keystone species like the moose.These are hunting grounds and fishing rivers where we have gone for generations, we can no longer bring our children and grandchildren to these places and teach them the ways of harvesting and sustaining our people with our traditional harvests. This affects all aspects of our lives. High price of food in fly-in communities contributing to food insecurity: For many far North Indigenous communities, they are fly-in communities meaning they have no access roads for supplies delivery, only by plane. Historically and traditionally, these communities’ food security has come from their hunting, fishing, trapping, and gathering. As climate change and commercial industries alter the health and availability of plants and animals to harvest, their communities’ food security is directly impacted. As a consequence they have to rely more on food supplies flown into the community, which are often too expensive for families to buy. Examples include, in Gwich’in communities such as Old Crow, Yukon a bag of apples can cost $17 USD and two liters of milk can be $8 USD. For Gwich’in communities and other Indigenous communities of the far North, caribou meat, salmon, and harvested plants are critical to their food security. Food systems have been hijacked by convenience (drive-thrus and gas stations on reservations), dominance of unhealthy foods: While some areas are dealing with high prices and low supplies, other Indigenous communities in the United States and Canada, are dealing with a dominance of unhealthy foods in their food environment, where gas stations and fast food drive-thru restaurants are the only nearby options. This is especially true for Indigenous communities on the reservations in the United States. We are experiencing a dominance of unhealthy foods. This adversely affects our individual and collective health. Shared resources and collective efforts are fragmented in urban settings that are dominated by “individualist” lifestyles: Our cultural practices and traditions of shared resources, collective rights, and collective stewardship of lands and waters is disrupted by the fragmented landscapes and resources in urban settings. We are not able to conduct our collective territorial management practices, nor share our resources in our traditional ways. Instead, for those of us living in urban settings, our lifestyles have become more “individualistic” and less collective. Shrinking Populations of Keystone Species: Participants in the dialogue illustrated many examples of keystone species in their food systems that are in decline and facing health issues. From the shallow, warm rivers affecting fish runs to clear cuts affecting forest animals and plants to coastline development for tourism, and the compounding impacts of climate change - our food systems [Indigenous Peoples’] and our health, food security and cultures are directly impacted by the decline in these keystone species; as are the surrounding ecosystems of our territories. قراءة القليل

The main findings and conclusions that emerged from our Dialogue are as follows: Generational and Intergenerational Grief and Trauma: There is generational and intergenerational grief and trauma experienced by Indigenous Peoples being separated from each other, from homelands, from cultures, from languages, from food ways, from their health and stories of their elders. There is shared trauma of separation, and also direct and ongoing violence, mistreatment, marginalization, targeted destruction, and disproportionate impacts from COVID-19, poverty, lack of resources, lack of infrastructure, and... قراءة المزيد imposed dependence on unhealthy, commodified, highly-processed foods. Anger and confusion as Indigenous Youth: Many Indigenous participants expressed common experiences of feeling anger and confusion in their youth. Their experiences had to do with not understanding themself as an Indigenous person, having to navigate other non-Indigenous people seeing/thinking Indigenous Peoples are extinct, not being understood or able to express themselves, and watching how Indigenous Peoples are conquered and attached in different ways of current-day society (through business, economy, food) and the trauma from that. All of this has a harmful effect on Indigenous Peoples’ communities across North America. Stuck in Unhealthy Situations: As a result, many Indigenous youth, adults and elders are stuck in unhealthy situations, many involving drug and alcohol addiction, abuse, broken homes and families. Hard to express grief: Some participants expressed it is hard to express the grief, ask for help, and drop the burden they carry in the patriarchy, and that many of them are seeing their elders and parents struggle with this healing. There was a common agreement that they need to reclaim their intergenerational connections in their communities, and to be able to look forward together. Creating better opportunities: There was a common agreement and commitment expressed by many participants to create better opportunities for the younger generations and stay connected to their elders, to serve as role models to their peers, and focus on healing and service for family and culture. Indigenous Spaces for Youth: There was a shared agreement that it is important to create Indigenous spaces of belonging, respect and safety for Indigenous youth so they can learn, express and find confidence in their cultures. Water-rights, Land-Rights, and Climate Change: There was a shared agreement that many Indigenous Peoples’ communities represented on the call of the need to improve access to water-rights and land-rights; and that the impacts of climate change are making access issues even more difficult, dire, and critical. For example, the dry-land farmers can no longer depend on the rain for their crops to receive enough water. The rains are not coming in the same way, and they are needing to rely on irrigation to keep their crops alive. Indigenous Seed Security: There was a shared agreement that Indigenous Peoples need seed security, and this is critical for all Indigenous Peoples’ food systems to survive and be sovereign. Traditional “Transition” Foods for times of Grief and Illness: There was a shared agreement that having access to traditional foods are so important for grieving ceremonies, and during times of illness and death. Many traditional foods are known as “Transitional Foods” like blue corn mush for the Diné. Participants expressed the absence or presence of Traditional Foods is really being felt during the COVID-19 pandemic in their communities. Nutritional Trauma: Participants shared the need to address the on-going lack of access to healthy traditional foods or healthy foods. There was concern of the unhealthy food distributions in Native communities during the pandemic. This is a continual concern to address the food systems that can bring healing foodways and restoration. Unresolved grief, On-going Trauma is connected to Action Track 5 and goals of UNFSS: The unresolved grief, ongoing trauma, marginalization, and resulting impacts on Indigenous Peoples’ communities are barriers to their ability to revitalize and sustain healthier, more equitable, resilient and sustainable food systems. AND the creation and revitalization of their food systems is essential to Indigenous Peoples’ healing, restoration and long-term, generational health in North America (and globally). قراءة القليل

During our breakout sessions, facilitators asked participants two questions: How are you and your communities coping and handling grief and trauma? Are our Indigenous communities, your communities, your tribe empowered to prepare for, withstand, and recover from instability or heal from the experiences of the pandemic? What is needed? Are we ready and able to recover? What will it take to achieve that? What will it take to see sustainable food systems in our Indigenous nations? Indigenous-led, community sustained initiatives to heal grief, trauma and provide care in culturally-appropriate and ... قراءة المزيدmeaningful ways: Many Indigenous participants shared information about the community-led non-profits they have created that are leading to support community needs and create new, supportive opportunities for the youth and stay connected to the elders. To mention a few: Diné Introspective, Inc., Diné Community Advocacy Alliance, OMO, and Elderberry Wisdom Farm. Building curriculum for Historical Trauma: This time during COVID has been transformational. One of the participants who leads a Native led nonprofit in Oregon, and during this time focused on building a curriculum for historical trauma as an important way to reach people who are working through grief and trauma. Through her experience, it’s been a positive experience for those who come out of this type of grief and trauma work, and hardship often strengthens resilience. Created improved relations for those in her community who were overwhelmed by grief and trauma. During this time, she realized that her organization is learning, growing and strengthening ability to help others, and strengthening individual protection for social, health, political challenges. Building cultural connections to land, plants, animals, and food is part of this curriculum. Creating positive, safe, cultural spaces and opportunities for Indigenous Youth: Indigenous-led nonprofit, Diné Introspective, Inc. is focused on creating positive opportunities for younger generations, serving as role model to peers, healing for family and culture, cultivating respect for land and animals, relationship with Creator, having a safe and cultural place to learn songs, prayers, and soaking up as much as possible from culture. Space holding and teaching through tribal communities and experience, growing through our clanship. Addressing the reality that so many youth are stuck in similar situations of not being able to express selves. Offering Cultural Ecology Art and Design Programs for Communities, Youth and Elders: OMO is an Indigenous-led nonprofit organization looking at cultural ecology art and design, finding ways to incorporate youth and elders into programs. The project includes working at a studio to build and create. It also includes exploring Indigenous knowledge and philosophy using art and design to express one’s emotions and traumas as a way to get voices and feelings into the world. Art projects manifest in different activities, including farming, painting, drawing, and sculpting. The participant creating this non-profit works in his community which is in an economically depressed and socially isolated area. Through this work, they are activating lands and getting youth back into community farming. The community has been involved in architecture as a design process and a great way to manifest feelings of trauma and grief through this work. As an example, the interdisciplinary program set up as part of the nonprofit allows youth to design something (chicken coop or greenhouse) and through this process building and creating art through design. They bring families into the process and ecology into the process. قراءة القليل