Indigenous Food Systems Research Articles

Document Indigenous Food Ingredients in China through Youth Participation

Abstract Problem Indigenous food systems can affect multiple aspects of Indigenous people’s health and contribute to more efficient, sustainable, resilient, and equitable food systems. However, although tens of Indigenous groups live in China, very few projects have targeted their traditional or Indigenous food systems and ingredients. Description of the problem The main purposes include documenting traditional and Indigenous foods and medicine, building multiple social media for public impact, encouraging Indigenous youth participation, and advocating a more sustainable food system in China Results With the collaboration of Good Food Fund China, the project recruited 257 volunteers from 27 ethnic groups. The project collected 418 traditional food ingredients, produced 18 TikTok short videos to introduce Indigenous ingredients with the maximum number of views in a single post of more than 100,000, organized 16 Indigenous food culture knowledge webinars, translated 14 international case studies in Indigenous food systems with the permission of authors, and published 16 articles about Indigenous food ingredients and culture in the writing camp. The online lives also received more than a million total views. The results were presented at COP26 and COP28. More results will continue to be presented to the public through articles, books, academic papers, documentaries, short videos, online webinars, and other forms. Lessons The project demonstrates the potential to use online platforms to advocate and document sustainable food systems and biodiversity through youth participation. More similar projects can be designed in different parts of the world to support sustainable food systems transformation and ignite down-to-earth changes. However, funding and publication channels are still difficulties in the project. Key messages • The first national level youth participation project to document Indigenous food biodiversity in China. • Take advantage of social media and the internet for public impact.

Indigenous Food System During Monsoon in the Context of India

India, the monsoon season is a culinary spectacle where ancient food traditions, intricately woven through generations, come to life. This period highlights the diverse indigenous food systems, which hold both cultural and ethnic significance, alongside their nutritional value. The monsoon's arrival transforms the culinary landscape, ushering in a vibrant array of flavors and dishes. Indian cuisine shares a symbiotic relationship with the monsoon. The use of indigenous spices not only enhances the taste but also offers antibacterial and antiviral properties, bolstering immunity against seasonal ailments. This season's dynamic platter invites a deeper appreciation for indigenous delicacies like the Maharashtrian 'Vagheteyachi bhaji' and the Indigenous agrarian communities of Chattisgarh celebrating 'Hareli' with medicinal brews of herbs and roots. Even festivals like Janmashtami see unique monsoon-centric dishes like 'Alvati' grace the table. The title of our research project acts as a portal into the intriguing world of culinary choices and practices across diverse Indian communities. Through this endeavor, we aim to unravel the impact of the monsoon on food and health, with a special emphasis on promoting and preserving ancient food practices. The Millet Revolution in India adds another dimension to our exploration. Millets, being resilient crops that thrive in diverse climatic conditions, have gained recognition for their nutritional benefits and suitability for monsoon cultivation. Our research delves into the scientific and religious rationales behind consuming various indigenous foods during different seasons, including those that are avoided to prevent seasonal illnesses. We evaluate governmental initiatives aimed at supporting small-scale farming institutes responsible for producing monsoon seasonal foods. Our research methodology combines primary data collection through questionnaires and community conversations, supplemented by secondary data from official statistics provided by the Government of India on the production of various indigenous food species.

Indigenous food systems in transition: flourishing amidst changing forest-farm-food nexus among the Solegas of South India

Indigenous food systems in transition: flourishing amidst changing forest-farm-food nexus among the Solegas of South India

The Opportunities and Values of Procuring and Preserving Food within Co-existing Indigenous and Local Food Systems: Insights from Canada’s West Coast

The Opportunities and Values of Procuring and Preserving Food within Co-existing Indigenous and Local Food Systems: Insights from Canada’s West Coast

The role of indigenous and traditional foods in achieving food security in Africa: A bibliometric snapshot and farm-to-fork perspective

Abstract Foods that are produced and processed locally using some forms of traditional knowledge are important for achieving food and nutrition security in Africa. These food crops are generally nutritious, being rich in essential nutrients and bioactive food compounds necessary for health promotion. Additionally, most African indigenous food crops are better adapted to local growing conditions, fulfil economic needs and are highly resistant to abiotic and climate-induced stresses. Hence, the proper utilisation of locally grown and wild foods crops will help contribute to the improvement of food security, nutrition value, health, and income generation in the African continent. In this review, we focus not only on the determinants of food insecurity in Africa but also discuss the scope, nutrition, and health impact of some common locally grown foods in Africa. We also highlight some traditional processing methods for harnessing the value of these foods, as well as farming and economic/agribusiness practices that can be used to promote the cultivation of foods in an African context. In conclusion, we reiterate that the production and processing of sustainable, locally available foods is essential to providing long-term food security for Africa. There is, therefore, the need for empowerment of local farmers and increased investments in research as well as the formulation of national/regional policies that intend to reduce food insecurity with emphasis on indigenous sustainable food systems for improved access to locally available, nutritious, and healthy foods in Africa.

Processing and preservation technologies to enhance indigenous food sovereignty, nutrition security and health equity in North America.

Indigenous foods are carriers of traditional native North American food culture and living philosophy. They are featured by the wide varieties in fresh and processed forms, richness in nutrition, flavor, health benefits and diversity in origins, but are usually misunderstood or underrepresented in the modern food systems. Conventional processing and cooking methods are sometimes labor-intensive, less efficient and lack science-based guidelines to prevent unseen safety risks and food loss. Global and regional climate change have caused additional challenges to conventional cooking/processing, and increased native communities' reliance on externally produced foods, which have resulted in increasing nutritional unbalance and prevalence of diet-related health issues. Current and emerging technologies, such as storage and packaging, drying, safety processing, canning, pickling, and fermentation, which treat foods under optimized conditions to improve the safety and extend the shelf-life, are increasingly used in current food systems. Therefore, exploring these technologies for indigenous foods offers opportunities to better preserve their nutrition, safety, and accessibility, and is critical for the sovereignty and independence of indigenous food systems, and sustainability of indigenous food culture. This mini-review focuses on identifying adoptable processing and preservation technologies for selected traditional indigenous foods in North America, summarizing education, extension, and outreach resources and discussing the current challenges and future needs critical to expanding knowledge about indigenous foods and improving food sovereignty, nutrition security, and health equity.

Socioecological dynamics of diverse global permafrost-agroecosystems under environmental change

ABSTRACT Permafrost-agroecosystems include all cultivation and pastoral activities in areas underlain by permafrost. These systems support local livelihoods and food production and are rarely considered in global agricultural studies but may become more relevant as climate change is increasing opportunities for food production in high latitude and mountainous areas. The exact locations and amount of agricultural production in areas containing permafrost are currently unknown, therefore we provide an overview of countries where both permafrost and agricultural activities are present. We highlight the socioecological diversity and complexities of permafrost-agroecosystems through seven case studies: (1) crop cultivation in Alaska, USA; (2) Indigenous food systems and crop cultivation in the Northwest Territories, Canada; (3) horse and cattle husbandry and Indigenous hay production in the Sakha Republic, Russia; (4) mobile pastoralism and husbandry in Mongolia; (5) yak pastoralism in the Central Himalaya, Nepal; (6) berry picking and reindeer herding in northern Fennoscandia; and (7) reindeer herding in northwest Russia. We discuss regional knowledge gaps associated with permafrost and make recommendations to policy makers and land users for adapting to changing permafrost environments. A better understanding of permafrost-agroecosystems is needed to help sustainably manage and develop these systems considering rapidly changing climate, environments, economies, and industries.

Millets and Indigenous Food Systems in Indian Subcontinent: Revitalization, Resilience and Sovereignty

Millet serves as a nutritional powerhouse, brimming with minerals, protein, beneficial fats, calcium, and an array of vital nutrients. Of all the millet varieties, Ragi takes the lead with its remarkable calcium content. Millets play a pivotal role in promoting good health, exhibiting the capacity to combat a range of diseases, even including cancer. Furthermore, these grains are highly recommended for individuals dealing with diabetes, forming a valuable part of the diet for diabetic patients. Presently, millet cultivation spans across 131 nations, with India prominently positioned as a frontrunner, contributing 41% to the global millet production. Remarkably, India's stature extends further as it clinches the fifth spot among the world's millet exporters. Noteworthy is the fact that in December 2018, India's proposal for designating 2023 as the International Year of Millets was embraced by the FAO, subsequently declared in March 2023. This paper delves into a comprehensive exploration of millets, encompassing their definition, a nutritional juxtaposition with cereals, accrued health advantages, contribution of millet production to the attainment of SDGs, a comprehensive overview of millet's cultivation landscape concerning geographical extent, production, productivity, and export trends. Additionally, a substantial focus is dedicated to elaborating on the significance and implications of the International Year of Millets, reflecting India's proactive role in enhancing global awareness about these grains.

Reclaiming the Xhotsa: climate adaptation and ecosystem restoration via the return of Sumas Lake

Sumas Lake (Xhotsa), located in the Fraser Valley, British Columbia, Canada, was the heart of Semá:th Nation Territory and the epicenter of a complex Indigenous food system. For the Semá:th people, the lake represented life and livelihood. In 1924, the lake was stolen and drained in an instance of land theft that occurred during a nationwide campaign of land dispossession and genocide, decimating an ecology that supported a rich and diverse Indigenous food system and replacing it with a settler food system. A century later, in November 2021 climate change induced flooding caused the lake to return, resulting in the evacuation of thousands of people and causing millions in damages to homes and infrastructure. Since the flood, the response has been a continuation of the status quo to protect settler agricultural lands via increased investment in hard structures that control the flow of water based on assumptions of the predictability of future flow conditions. We offer a missing narrative by bringing together an analysis of Indigenous laws and oral tradition with an assessment of the economic costs of “managed retreat”, defined as the purposeful relocation of people and infrastructure out of harm’s way. We find that the cost of buying out properties in the lakebed and allowing the lake to return is close to half the cost ($1 billion) of maintaining the status quo ($2.4 billion), while facilitating climate adaptation, and restoration of a floodplain ecosystem that supported thriving populations of people, salmon, sturgeon, ducks, and food and medicinal plants– including many species which are now endangered. Returning Sumas Lake by centering ‘Water Back’ as a climate resiliency solution, enacts both food systems and ecological reconciliation, addressing the harms caused by the loss of the lake to the Semá:th People that is still felt to this day. In a time when climate change induced flooding is predicted to increase, this study demonstrates how the inclusion of Indigenous laws and knowledges are critical to the development of solutions toward a more sustainable and just future.

The importance of diversity in local food systems: a network analysis of food-related interactions in the Indigenous food system on St. Paul Island, Alaska

Arctic Indigenous food systems are typified by diverse social interactions that maintain food security. Given the numerous challenges Arctic Indigenous communities face, it is important to understand diversity in these systems and how they are impacted by change. This study adopts a mixed methods approach that combines participatory methods with network analysis to assess the diversity of food-related interactions between different actor types in the mixed food system on St. Paul Island, Alaska. We conducted 36 interviews with local food system actors to identify current food security challenges and food-related interactions in the local food system. We used network analysis to investigate the diversity of interactions in the food system quantitatively. We simulated the effects of two key food security challenges (out-migration and knowledge loss) on food system diversity and explored interventions to increase diversity. Qualitative data from the same interviews were used to embed our results in the lived realities of the St. Paul Island community. Our approach reveals diverse interactions in the local food system, reflecting both subsistence and market-based elements of the St. Paul Island mixed economy. While both challenges threaten the system's diversity, out-migration presents a more immediate risk to food system diversity than knowledge loss. We advocate for targeting a combination of food system interventions at the community level to enhance food system diversity effectively. Our research contributes to understanding the importance of diversity for Arctic Indigenous food security and emphasizes the need to recognize the complex interactions between food system interventions and their implications for Arctic Indigenous communities.

Co-existence of potentially sustainable indigenous food systems and poor nutritional status in Ho indigenous community, India: an exploratory study

Indigenous food (IF) systems comprise culturally important foods derived from natural resources with shorter farm to plate chains, as compared to modern counterparts. These food systems are at epicenter of sustainable food systems with potential to alleviate malnutrition and protect ecosystems. The Ho indigenous community of Jharkhand have access to diverse IFs, yet experience malnutrition. A sequential mixed-method study was conducted to explore local food systems with assessment of diet quality and nutritional status of Ho women. Focus group discussions (n = 10) and free-listing (n = 7) were conducted to capture community’s perspectives on IF systems, associated sustainable attributes and perceived challenges towards IF utilization. Scientific names and nutritive values of IFs were documented through secondary review; in case of no information in literature, IFs were identified through ethnobotanist with nutritional analysis in laboratory. 24 h recalls (n = 284 in winter and n = 154 in monsoon) and anthropometric assessments (n = 273) were conducted to estimate women’s dietary diversity and nutritional status. Findings revealed rich traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) producing a diverse list of IFs (n = 243) mainly accessed from natural food environment (wild and cultivated). Among listed foods, 171 IFs were taxonomically classified and among these, nutritive values were documented for 121 IFs. Potentially sustainable traits of Ho’s IF systems included high nutrient density of IFs, community’s preference towards their consumption because of their flavorsome attributes, climate resilient properties and cultural heritage. However, impacts of climate variability, changing farming practices and market-integrated life ways challenged the sustained production, access and consumption of IFs. This was evident in poor diversity in diets (diet diversity scores of 2.9 in winter and monsoon) and chronic energy deficiency (36%) in women. The unique TEK systems of indigenous communities need to be integrated into mainstream policies and programs for safeguarding and promoting their potentially sustainable food systems to support food and nutritional security.

Indigenous values and perspectives for strengthening food security and sovereignty: learning from a community-based case study of Misko-ziibiing (Bloodvein River First Nation), Manitoba, Canada

In recent years, changing environmental, developmental activity, government policies and laws, lifestyle changes and affordability dynamics have continued to threaten the self determination and food sovereignty of Indigenous peoples in the community. Their perspectives, teachings, and voices are rarely present in any scholarly work. Despite food security being a significant challenge among many First Nations communities on Turtle Island, there needs to be more empirical, community-based research that underscores the role of traditional food systems and associated values and teachings in Manitoban communities through an Indigenous lens. This research addresses that gap by building upon Indigenous perspectives and knowledges on the status and future directions of food security and sovereignty in Misko-ziibiing (Bloodvein River First Nation). Guided by Indigenous research protocol and using a qualitative research approach, ten in-depth interviews with Bloodvein River First Nation (BVR) and Winnipeg Elders were conducted. Data was also sourced through discussions with local council members, participant observation, and field visits during 2017. The fundamental values and traditional teachings associated with food sovereignty within the community are aligned with the spirit of sharing, including sharing ethics and protocols, social learning within the community, and intergenerational transmission. Enhanced intergenerational transmission of traditional teachings, education and language revitalization, and local leadership involvement can strengthen these social and cultural values to enhance Indigenous food security and sovereignty in Misko-ziibiing. This research identifies the knowledge and views of Elders, hunters, trappers and fishers, contributing to the current studies associated with traditional food systems and teachings. Strengthening social and cultural traditions and values is vital in working toward Indigenous food governance, sovereignty, and revitalization of their Indigenous food systems.

Navigating Legal and Regulatory Frameworks to Achieve the Resilience and Sustainability of Indigenous Socioecological Systems

The sustainability of Indigenous Socioecological Systems (ISES) largely depends on well-crafted policy regulations. In particular, Indigenous traditional food systems (ITFS) are an essential component of ISES that provide a variety of culturally accepted, healthy foods while also playing an important role in cultural, spiritual, and economic value to the Indigenous people (IP). Thus, sustainably managing these traditional natural resources must be a priority. As custodians of much of the world’s ecological system, IP have, for generations, exhibited sustainable lifestyles in governing these systems. However, Indigenous perspectives and voices have not been properly reflected in the ISES sustainability discourse, and few comparative case studies have addressed this issue. This study contributes to fill this research gap using a desktop research method based on the Political Ecological Theoretical Framework (PETF) to examine how existing regulatory policies may affect the resilience and sustainability of ISES-ITFS, especially in relation to growing environmental and climatic pressures. Two Indigenous communities, the Karen in Thailand and different Indigenous groups in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) in Russia, are examined as case studies. Our study provides crucial insight that should help the development of robust policy interventions that integrate Indigenous concerns into policies and regulations, emphasizing self-determination, cultural preservation, and land rights. The findings emphasize the necessity for comprehensive legal frameworks prioritizing Indigenous involvement and concerns in climate and sustainability policy implementations. The ultimate goal is to foster meaningful dialogues between policymakers and IP in navigating the climate and sustainability challenges of our time.

An Interview with Cheryl Bryce: Decolonizing Place for Indigenous Food and Land Sovereignty

On February 4th, 2023, Jeff Ganohalidoh Corntassel spoke with Cheryl Bryce, Songhees Nation member and knowledge-keeper who focuses on land and Indigenous food sovereignty. She founded and continues to lead the lək̓ʷəŋən Community Tool Shed, an initiative that brings people together to decolonize the land and reinstate indigenous food systems. The following conversation covers kwetlal (camas) food systems, traditional land management, and sharing knowledge.

Malnutrition and Hunger in South Asia: A Historical and Contemporary Analysis

Malnutrition is a blot on India’s quest for development and sovereignty. India’s desire to be a developed nation by 2047 based on humancentric development is questionable without eradicating the problem of malnutrition. This article discusses the malnutrition and hunger in South Asia, particularly in India. The concept and problem of malnutrition have transformed from a colonial to a contemporary period. The article shows that malnutrition, once a problem of rural India, has transformed itself into a pan- India phenomenon. The hunger, poverty, and global development goals have reformulated the problem of nutrition and its associated solutions. The article also speaks about the dilemma of policymakers and experts to have a stable understanding of the nutrition problem. However, the need for a shift towards indigenous food systems to address the problem of malnutrition sprang up after the Green Revolution. The issues of geographical specificities, local governance structures, and basic infrastructural problems are adding to the complexities of malnutrition. This paper introduces the problematisation of nutritional problems in India after the Green Revolution.

Self-sufficient and commercial agriculture: Comparison of indigenous food systems in the face of climate change in Guatemala

Self-sufficient and commercial agriculture: Comparison of indigenous food systems in the face of climate change in Guatemala

Contaminated sites and Indigenous peoples in Canada and the United States: A scoping review.

Indigenous communities are disproportionately exposed to contaminated sites, and this poses unique challenges as many Indigenous peoples consider land as an integral part of their culture and economy. This scoping review aimed to identify and map information on contaminated sites and Indigenous peoples in Canada and the United States, namely (1) the relationship between contaminated sites and Indigenous peoplesand their land and food systems; (2) strategies, challenges, and successes for contaminated sites assessment and management on Indigenous land; and (3) Indigenous leadership and inclusion in contaminated site assessment and management. We followed a PRISMA-ScR (Transparent Reporting of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-Extension for Scoping Reviews) checklist to collect data that could be categorized into these three objectives. Between October 2021 and July 2023, information from three data streams was retrieved: a systematic literature search; a grey literature search; and federal site data retrieval (Canada's Federal Contaminated Sites Inventory, USEPA's contaminated sites databases, including Superfund). This search yielded 51 peer-reviewed articles, 21 grey literature articles, and 11 404 federal site records, evidencing the contamination of the lands of 875 Indigenous communities and the presence of 440 different contaminants or contaminant groups. The body of information was categorized into three themes within the above objectives: Objective 1: Indigenous communities and geographic patterns; Contaminated sites, sources, and media; Contaminated sites and Indigenous lands; Contaminated sites and Indigenous food systems; Contaminated sites and the health of Indigenous peoples; Objective 2: Site management and classification processes; Health risk assessment; Risk management; Long-term management; and Objective 3: Collaborative research, Collaborative site management; Traditional knowledge and contaminated sites. Results highlighted a need to prioritize holism, efficiency, and Indigenous leadership in site assessment, management, and research, including a focus on community-specific approaches to site assessment and management; a reconceptualization of risks that privileges Indigenous epistemologies; and greater collaboration between stakeholder networks. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:1306-1329. © 2023 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

Justice implications ofhealth andfood security policies forIndigenous peoples facing COVID-19: a qualitative study andpolicy analysis inPeru.

The spread of COVID-19 in Peru resulted in the declaration of a national health emergency, in which Indigenous peoples were identified as being particularly vulnerable due to their pre-existing poor health indicators and disadvantaged social conditions. The aim of this paper is to examine how the Peruvian government responded to the health and food needs of the Shawi and Ashaninka Indigenous peoples of Peru during the first 18 months of the pandemic (March 2020-August 2021). This study uses both official policy documents and real-world experiences to evaluate policy responses in terms of their immediate impact and their longer-term sustainability and contribution to the improvement of health, well-being and justice for Indigenous communities. Four health and food security responses were evaluated: the Amazon Health Plan and Indigenous Command; food aid; cash aid; and COVID-19 vaccination. We employed the Multidimensional Injustice Framework to analyse the justice implications of the design and implementation of responses. Data collection included 71 interviews with government officials (n = 7), Indigenous leaders (n = 31) and community members (n = 33). The results show how national and regional governments released policies to address the health and food needs of Indigenous peoples directly or indirectly, as part of a broader focus on vulnerable people. However, justice implications were not sufficiently addressed in the design or implementation of the responses. On the distributive dimension, Indigenous communities were prioritized to receive health goods and services, nevertheless, the distribution had shortcomings that impeded their collection and Indigenous food systems and livelihoods were largely overlooked. On the procedural dimension, Indigenous representatives were included to provide culturally sensitive feedback on health interventions, but without funding, and furthermore, the community members had only passive participation. This paper points out the importance of considering and addressing justice implications for more effective and fairer health and food policy responses to current and future health crises.

Indigenizing Food System Planning for Food System Resiliency

Problem, research strategy and findings Planners conduct community food assessments for the purpose of supporting community food security efforts. However, assessments of community food assets, including their availability and access, are often limited in their consideration of ecological and cultural assets that are central to Indigenous food systems. Moreover, what are considered mainstream food assets may not reflect the everyday lived experiences of Indigenous peoples and traditional food sources. In this study we applied a citizen science–led photovoice food assessment, involving six Indigenous participants from Kitselas (Ts’msyen) First Nation in Canada. Using practice theory, the findings show how Indigenous concepts of relationality and reciprocity are intertwined in land-based food-related practices, which highlights the need for a holistic approach in documenting and planning around local food assets. Takeaway for practice The field of planning needs to respect and support Indigenous food sovereignty in planning policies. We recommend a more inclusive approach to community food assessment in planning, understanding how cultural food assets matter, and increasing community support to revitalize Indigenous food systems in culturally relevant ways.

Impacts of colonization on Indigenous food systems in Canada and the United States: a scoping review

BackgroundIndigenous populations in Canada and the United States (US) have maintained reciprocal relationships with nature, grounded in respect for and stewardship of the environment; however, disconnection from traditional food systems has generated a plethora of physical and mental health challenges for communities. Indigenous food sovereignty including control of lands were found to be factors contributing to these concerns. Therefore, our aim was to conduct a scoping review of the peer-reviewed literature to describe Indigenous disconnection from Indigenous food systems (IFS) in Canada and the US.MethodsFollowing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-SR) and Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines, we searched MEDLINE, SCOPUS, International Bibliography of the Social Sciences, Sociological s, and Bibliography of Native North Americans. Data was extracted from 41 studies and a narrative review completed based on study themes.ResultsThe overarching theme identified in the included studies was the impact of colonization on IFS. Four sub-themes emerged as causes for Indigenous disconnection from traditional food systems, including: climate change; capitalism; legal change; and socio-cultural change. These sub-themes highlight the multiple ways in which colonization has impacted Indigenous food systems in Canada and the US and important areas for transformation.ConclusionsEfforts to reconnect Indigenous knowledge and values systems with future food systems are essential for planetary health and sustainable development. Traditional knowledge sharing must foreground authentic Indigenous inclusion within policymaking.