Indigenous Food Systems Network

Indigenous cultural property of all forms, tangible and intangible, oral and written, ancient and contemporary, is under constant threat from exploitation, theft, misrepresentation, misuse, and commodification. Current domestic law, including federal Indian law, does not sufficiently protect cultural property. [FN3] Internationally, although the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), United Nations

Since the time of contact with non Indigenous settlers in the southern interior of B.C. many traditional Indigenous harvesters including hunters, fishermen, and gatherers from the Ktunaxa, Nlaka’pamux, Secwepemc, St’at’imc, Syilx, and Ts’ilqotin nations have repeatedly expressed concern about the declining health and abundance of culturally important foods in our respective traditional territories. Therefore, the Interior of B.C.

Guidelines for proceeding with Indigenous community based research as it relates to traditional food systems. The link provides the following documents in pdf format.
1. International Case Studies
2. Procedures Manuel - Introduction
3. Procedures Manuel - 5 step
4. Procedures Manuel - Tools and References
5. Procedures Manuel - Appendices

Policy relevance
Many factors threaten the fight against household food insecurity, hunger, and poverty;
this is particularly true for Aboriginal Canadians. Stakeholders, decision-makers, evaluators, and academics need to know about the unique experiences, challenges, traditions, knowledge, and
beliefs of Aboriginal people when making strategic decisions or recommendations or when
implementing new policies and programs. While much funding is currently directed at the health
needs and concerns of First Nations people in on- and off-reserve areas, lack of government