B.C. Indigenous Advisory Council on Agriculture and Food (IACAF)

The B.C. Indigenous Advisory Council on Agriculture and Food (IACAF) is a unique council created by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food in order for council members and the ministry to work together to support the realization of Indigenous Peoples’ food systems and agriculture related priorities. IACAF was inaugurated in June 2021, following a year and a half of co-development between founding members and the ministry.

Accomplishments

IACAF is raising the profile and celebrating Indigenous food systems in BC and the accomplishments of Indigenous food champions and Nations in sustaining and revitalizing their food systems.

IACAF has sponsored research and organized events to build knowledge and bring people together to support Indigenous food systems and increase Indigenous peoples’ success and participation in the agriculture and food sector.

Discussion paper on Indigenous food sovereignty

This discussion paper (PDF,16 MB), prepared by Tea Creek Enterprises (an Indigenous-led, land-based, culturally-safe Indigenous food sovereignty initiative located in Gitxsan territory), summarizes a review of Indigenous Food Sovereignty perspectives in B.C., with a focus on mapping current initiatives, outlining Indigenous food sovereignty narratives, and providing case studies.

It also highlights several successful initiatives and recommends strategies for various stakeholders to collaborate to scale-up Indigenous food sovereignty across the province.

Video showcase

The following videos showcase a few examples of innovative approaches to farming and food security undertaken by Indigenous communities across the province, highlighting the work of Lytton and Tsawwassen First Nations.

Looking back

IACAF’s first 3-year strategic plan 2021-2024 (PDF, 3.9 MB) prioritized action in three areas:

• Strengthen Indigenous food security, food sovereignty, and build food system resilience
• Address barriers and create economic opportunities
• Foster inclusive Indigenous governance and support self-determination

Year 1 (2021-2022) focused on research and information gathering to fill vital data gaps and inform the council’s advice to the ministry. Also see 2021-2022 IACAF Report.

Year 2 (2022-2023) focused on mobilizing recommendations through program design and other initiatives, including advice and guidance on the creation and design of a $1.14M funding program to support Indigenous food systems and strategic initiatives with Indigenous-led partner organizations.

Year 3 (2023-2024) saw IACAF’s advice on priorities and approaches to support Indigenous Peoples’ food systems mobilized to inform the ministry’s prioritization and design of the new $30M Indigenous Food Security and Sovereignty Grant Program delivered by New Relationship Trust (2023-2025). This funding contribution to NRT is the largest and most significant ministry funding commitment towards Indigenous food systems to date and the program delivery model represents an important shift toward supporting Indigenous-led service provision.

More details on IACAF’s accomplishments and other work underway at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food to advance reconciliation and the implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act can be found in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 Declaration Act Action Plan Annual Report under Goal 4.48. Don’t miss the spotlight story, When the tide is out, the table is set: restoring Nuu-chah-nulth Sea Gardens.

IACAF and the ministry are engaged in a strategic reflection and planning process to guide IACAF’s work in coming years.

News releases

• New council helps Indigenous agriculture grown in B.C. (July 14, 2021)
• Indigenous communities, businesses get support to increase food security (September 21, 2022)
• Indigenous-led projects support food sovereignty, food security in B.C. (May 16, 2023)
• New funding expands support for Indigenous food sovereignty (July 27, 2023)

Membership