B.C. Indigenous Advisory Council on Agriculture and Food (IACAF)
The B.C. Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries will be working closely with Indigenous nations, communities and businesses in B.C. to support Indigenous peoples’ agriculture and food economies and advance the implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act) and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action within the ministry’s mandate.
The purpose of IACAF is to create a platform for the ministry and members to work together to enhance the equitable participation of Indigenous peoples in the agriculture and food sector and support the realization of their economic development objectives.
The priority areas of IACAF are to:
- Advance food security and food sovereignty of Indigenous peoples across the province and contribute to more resilient local, regional and provincial food systems;
- Increase Indigenous peoples’ success and participation in the agriculture and food sector;
- Strengthen and inform the ministry’s understanding of Indigenous peoples’ inherent rights, interests and perspectives as they relate to the agriculture and food sector through provision of advice on policy and operations to support the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries’ implementation of the Declaration Act.
The inaugural membership of IACAF is comprised of individuals nominated and appointed by the Minister reflecting a broad range of leadership, experience and perspectives in the agriculture and food sector from across B.C.
