The National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture and Food and Canadian Food Focus Sign MOU to Amplify Indigenous Food Systems and Agricultural Knowledge

The National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture and Food (NCIAF) is proud to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Canadian Food Focus (CFF), establishing a collaborative partnership to elevate Indigenous agricultural knowledge, promote food system awareness, and strengthen educational outreach across Canada.

Grounded in mutual respect, cultural integrity, and a shared commitment to truth, reconciliation, and sustainable food systems, this agreement represents a powerful step forward in advancing inclusive and culturally relevant food literacy for all Canadians.

"Through this partnership, we are ensuring Indigenous voices are recognized and respected in national conversations about agriculture and food,” said Kallie Wood, President and CEO of the NCIAF. “This collaboration with Canadian Food Focus allows us to highlight the rich food traditions and agricultural practices of Indigenous communities across the country.”

Under the MOU, the NCIAF and CFF will collaborate on several initiatives, including:

• Storytelling and Content Creation: Sharing multimedia content—such as articles, videos, and podcasts—showcasing Indigenous food knowledge, practices, and community stories.
• Education and Outreach: Developing materials and campaigns to increase understanding of Indigenous food systems and agricultural traditions.
• Community Engagement: Supporting events and workshops connecting Indigenous and non-Indigenous audiences in meaningful ways.
• Capacity Building: Creating mentorship and leadership opportunities for Indigenous youth and community members in agriculture.

“We are excited to work with NCIAF to share and advance Indigenous voices and to engage consumers with stories of Indigenous Peoples’ deep understanding of food harvesting, farming, hunting, and fishing practices,” said Dorothy Long, Managing Director for Canadian Food Focus.

The NCIAF will provide cultural insight and help identify knowledge holders and communities to feature in collaborative content. CFF will contribute its communications expertise and national media reach, ensuring content is published with cultural sensitivity and respect.

Regular meetings will be held to guide and assess the partnership’s progress, with designated representatives from each organization leading the joint efforts. This MOU will remain in effect for three years, beginning April 15, 2025.

About NCIAF
The NCIAF is a national Indigenous-led organization dedicated to advancing the interests of Indigenous Peoples in agriculture, food sovereignty, and sustainable food production.

About Canadian Food Focus
Canadian Food Focus is a national organization working to improve the food literacy of Canadian consumers by exploring how food is grown and raised and offering expert insights to help Canadians make confident food choices.