Comment: The path to reconciliation can start by reading some good books 

There is some excellent fiction and non-fiction that opens the door to history — and understanding

September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day is meant to honour the children who never returned home and the survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Many people never learned the history of residential schools. It was not taught in schools until recently and it was

Farmer Derrick Gould (left) with his son Blaze (centre) and father Donald (right). Donald passed away this June.

BACK TO THE LAND: ‘We used to plant hay here.’

The past, present, and hopeful future of Indigenous agriculture in Manitoba

For decades, farming has declined in Derrick Gould’s community of Pinaymootang (Fairford) First Nation. In the late 1950s and early ‘60s, Gould estimates 35 to 40 families were raising cattle in pastures and hay lands along the Fairford River. Gould family history relates the beginning of the end for many of those farms: In 1961,


A person shops at the North Mart grocery store in Iqaluit, Nunavut July 28.

Cold and hungry

Northern residents say rising food costs creating new and growing economic challenges

Reuters – In Canada’s remote north, residents have long paid dearly for food, and rising prices have worsened an already dire situation, exposing the vulnerability of one of the world’s biggest exporters of grains and meat. Communities in Nunavut have no roads to connect them with each other, forcing them to rely on fresh food

E.J. Fontaine, Ardell Cochrane, and Robert Maytwayashing in a screen shot from “Indigenous Voices – Sharing our Agricultural History and Journey.”

‘Indigenous Voices – Sharing our Agricultural History and Journey’

Film traces the journey of three Indigenous Diploma of Agriculture students

In 1975, a program called the Manitoba Indian Agriculture Program (MIAP), funded by the Department of Indian Affairs, was established to boost agricultural output in Manitoba First Nations communities. At the time, agriculture was an important way of life for many Indigenous Manitobans. However, because they didn’t have access to the resources and finances available

Indigenous communities that want to engage in protein industries like raising bison find familiar barriers in their way.

One-size-fits-all approach won’t work for Indigenous protein innovation: experts

Remote communities and lack of access to sales, processing infrastructure a barrier to Indigenous food entrepreneurs

A lack of appreciation for Indigenous communities’ knowledge, goals and approaches to food production is hampering business development, experts told the Manitoba Protein Summit. “We don’t want pilot projects. We want equitable access to capital. We want equitable access to programs, and we want programs that aren’t broken,” said Bruce Hardy, president of the Myera


Sites like the Princes Creek Dam on Swan Lake First Nation have become a major location for the federal Living Labs initiative.

How First Nations priorities are informing novel ag practices

Swan Lake First Nation is a major player in a multi-stakeholder initiative looking for new solutions on land and water management

The goal was to capture the best of both worlds — a productive agriculture landscape while protecting the surrounding natural ecosystem. The unlikely scene is 13 acres of potato land, owned by Swan Lake First Nation (SLFN), and rented out to a neighbouring farmer. The land has newly installed tile drainage to manage water and

Agriculture has the potential to change its legacy of being a colonial tool used to suppress First Nations communities to become an industry leading in reconciliation efforts.

Opinion: Opportunities available to participate in reconciliation

Soil scientist aims to complete picture of available opportunities in Indigenous communities

The combined enthusiasm of First Nations for agriculture, mixed with added interest from government and industry, is creating exciting opportunities – despite continued barriers. That enthusiasm was well on display during FHQ Development’s two-day, Indigenous Agricultural Innovation Conference, held virtually in September. Attendees heard from a diverse set of speakers, including Melissa Arcand, who is

Cowessess First Nation Chief Cadmus Delorme announces the discovery of the unmarked graves of hundreds of people, June 24, 2021.

Opinion: Truth and reconciliation efforts can’t stop

The story of farmers and First Nations is a long and complex one

It is a privilege to write in this space, and this week I thought it was appropriate to amplify a strong First Nations voice, while providing a bit of historical context. Days before having to address the nation, and press from across the globe, Cadmus Delorme was touting the grain farm on Cowessess First Nation.


Indigenous-led agricultural projects get funding

Goal is to build a more ‘inclusive agriculture sector,’ feds say

Sixteen projects to help support Indigenous-led food system initiatives will receive $4 million from the federal government. “Our government is working to create a more inclusive agriculture sector that respects the values of Indigenous Peoples,” said Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie Claude Bibeau in a statement. “These investments are intended to ensure that Indigenous Peoples have equal

In 2019, the federal government appointed an interlocutor to assess the possibility of transitioning the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation to a harvester-led model.

Report gives next steps to inland fishery transition

Interim committee dismissed a proposal for a First Nations-led fish marketing entity, says AMC

Fishery leaders have shown the interest and capacity to transition the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation (FFMC) to a harvester-led marketing organization, according to a federal report released January 21. “The end structure of the FFMC has not been finalized, however, I look forward to working with the interim committee, and all harvesters, to explore this