Handpicked: Stories from the Field

Presented by the Laurier Centre for Sustainable Food Systems, Handpicked: Stories from the Field is a podcast series that showcases research that drives positive change in our food systems—ways we produce, gather, eat, understand and dispose of our food. Produced and hosted by Laine Young and Dr. Charlie Spring, the series presents compelling, real-life stories of food practitioners, such as farmers, policymakers and activists. Episodes follow researchers and community partners in their efforts to make their food systems more economically, environmentally and socially sustainable.

Season 4, Episode 6 - Handpicked Presents: Voicing Change - Team Reflections on Podcasting for Social Change 05/31/2024

Season 4, Episode 5 – Handpicked Presents: Voicing Change – “Agroecology in Kenya” 05/26/2024

Season 4, Episode 4 - Handpicked Presents: The Voicing Change Podcast - "Agroecology in Canada and Brazil " 05/16/2024

Season 4, Episode 3 - Handpicked Presents: The Voicing Change Podcast - "Forests, Food & People - Part 2" 05/08/2024

Season 4, Episode 2 - Handpicked Presents: The Voicing Change Podcast - "Forests, Food, & People- Part 1" 05/03/2024

Season 4, Episode 1 - Handpicked Presents: The Voicing Change Podcast - "Introducing Voicing Change" 04/25/2024

Season 4, Episode 1 - Handpicked Presents: The Voicing Change Podcast - "Introducing Voicing Change" Season 4: Episode 1 – Handpicked Presents: Voicing Change - “Introducing Voicing Change” Featuring: Dr. Andrew Spring, Dr. Eve Nimmo, Enock Mac'Ouma In this episode of Handpicked: Stories from the Field, we present an episode of the Voicing Change Podcast called, “Introducing Voicing Change.” This episode introduces the project, "Voicing Change: Co-Creating Knowledge and Capacity for Sustainable Food Systems." The project connects community partners, researchers, and students from three regions—Northwest Territories; Migori County, Kenya; and Southern Brazil—to create a Community of Practice exploring local, innovative, and sustainable food systems that centre traditional and Indigenous knowledges. The project aims to: -celebrate local food expertise and traditional knowledge that contribute to traditional, equitable, and culturally appropriate community food systems -amplify the voices of community members and knowledge holders as they share their technical expertise -spark food systems innovations that flow through the Community of Practice and are adapted and piloted in other areas The project’s goal is to build a healthier, more equitable, and socio-ecologically resilient future that is grounded in sustainable local food systems and centres Indigenous and traditional knowledges. REGIONS AND KEY PARTNERS Northwest Territories: Ka’a’gee Tu First Nation, Wilfrid Laurier University, University of Waterloo Southern Brazil: CEDErva and Embrapa Forestry Migori County, Kenya: Rongo University and UNESCO Chair on Community Radio for Agricultural Education FUNDING ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Voicing Change is supported in part by funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT We would like to acknowledge that these podcasts have been recorded on the traditional territories of Indigenous peoples in the lands now known as Canada, Brazil and Kenya. Though the histories of colonization, decolonization and reconciliation differ across these contexts, we recognise the ongoing legacies of colonial dispossession that have contributed to the food system injustices that we tackle in this podcast. Nevertheless, this podcast was also inspired by the survivance of traditional food systems based on care for the land and other beings; we acknowledge and pay our respects to the ancestors, elders and inheritors of these ways of knowing and being that continue to benefit us all to this day. In a spirit of reciprocity, we recognise the harms done by colonial powers, including by institutions of higher learning, and aim to cultivate an approach of listening and sharing knowledge rather than extracting and profiting from it. Contributors Co-Producers & Hosts: & Voicing Change Team: Olga Awuor, Enock Mac'Ouma, Andres Kathunzi, Evelyn Nimmo, Renata Kempf, Brena Rotter, Laureen Silva, Alessandra de Carvalho, Murilo Siqueira, Andrew Spring Sound Design & Editing: Narayan Subramoniam Guests Dr. Andrew Spring Dr. Eve Nimmo Enock Mac'Ouma Support & Funding Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Music Credits Ali Razmi Keenan Reimer-Watts Resources Connect with Us: Email: Twitter/X: Facebook: /episode/index/show/handpickedpodcast/id/30987063

Season 3 Episode 6 - “Will the Pursuit of Limitless Growth Make Us Better Off?: Redefining Progress in the Canadian Food System Policy 10/16/2023

Season 3 Episode 6 - “Will the Pursuit of Limitless Growth Make Us Better Off?: Redefining Progress in the Canadian Food System Policy Featuring: Naomi Robert In this episode of Handpicked: Stories from the Field, we speak with Naomi Robert, a Research & Extension Associate at the Institute for Sustainable Food Systems at Kwantlen Polytechnique University and a PhD candidate at Simon Fraser University on her new project called “Beyond GDP: Lessons for Redefining Progress in Canadian Food System Policy”. Naomi discusses the problematic history of GDP as a measure of well-being in our country and how we can move towards measures that more accurately depict the well-being of Canadians. Contributors Co-Producers & Hosts: & Amanda Di Battista Producer: Sound Design & Editing: Narayan Subramoniam Guests Support & Funding Music Credits Keenan Reimer-Watts Resources Articles, Podcasts & Essays Podcast: Article: Essay: Economics for a Full World, by Herman Daly Books References and Textbooks Connect with Us: Email: Twitter/X: Facebook: Glossary of Terms Agrifood System “The agri-food system spans diverse supply chains, from meat and fish to dairy, eggs, crops and produce. Each supply chain involves a variety of stakeholders from farmers, processors, distributors, retailers and consumers that operate at local, provincial, national and even international levels” Doughnut Economics “Doughnut Economics proposes an economic mindset that's fit for our times. It's not a set of policies and institutions, but rather a way of thinking to bring about the regenerative and distributive dynamics that this century calls for. Drawing on insights from diverse schools of economic thought - including ecological, feminist, institutional, behavioural and complexity economics - it sets out seven ways to think like a 21st century economist in order to transform economies, local to global. The starting point of Doughnut Economics is to change the goal from endless GDP growth to thriving in the Doughnut. At the same time, see the big picture by recognising that the economy is embedded within, and dependent upon, society and the living world.” Economic Growth “An economy grows when it has the capacity to produce more. Production is based on how much capital, labor, natural resources, and technology it has to produce. Policies that encourage the accumulation of any of these leads to economic growth.” Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) “Described by its authors, the Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) provides citizens and policymakers fruitful insight by recognizing economic activity that diminishes both natural and social capital. Further, the GPI is designed to measure sustainable economic welfare rather than economic activity alone. To accomplish this, the GPI uses three simple underlying principles for its methodology: account for income inequality, include non-market benefits that are not included in Gross Domestic Product, and identify and deduct bads such as environmental degradation, human health effects, and loss of leisure time. The GPI developers identified 26 indicators, then populate them with verifiable data. As one example, the pure economic activity stemming from the explosive growth of urban sprawl contributes greatly to the GDP. Yet, along with sprawl come non-economic costs such as increased commuting time, increased traffic congestion, land use conversion, and automobile impacts. In short, just because we are exchanging money within an economy does not necessarily mean that we are sustainable or prosperous.” Gross Domestic Product (GDP) “GDP measures the monetary value of final goods and services—that is, those that are bought by the final user—produced in a country in a given period of time (say a quarter or a year). It counts all of the output generated within the borders of a country. GDP is composed of goods and services produced for sale in the market and also includes some nonmarket production, such as defense or education services provided by the government.” Migrant Labour Issues “Shifts in demographic and economic patterns are pushing workers to cross borders for jobs in ever increasing numbers. Migrants often leave their home communities due to extreme poverty and face exploitation as they search for work in unfamiliar terrain. They are commonly subject to subcontracting schemes and precarious jobs in the informal economy. They make vital economic contributions to both their host countries and countries of origin, but confront a dire lack of workplace protection and social security.” Planetary Boundaries “The planetary boundaries concept presents a set of nine planetary boundaries within which humanity can continue to develop and thrive for generations to come. Crossing boundaries increases the risk of generating large-scale abrupt or irreversible environmental changes. Drastic changes will not necessarily happen overnight, but together the boundaries mark a critical threshold for increasing risks to people and the ecosystems we are part of. Boundaries are interrelated processes within the complex biophysical Earth system. This means that a global focus on climate change alone is not sufficient for increased sustainability. Instead, understanding the interplay of boundaries, especially climate, and loss of biodiversity, is key in science and practice.” Canada’s Quality of Life Framework “The Quality of Life Framework for Canada brings together data for approximately 85 key indicators on the well-being of people in Canada. The Framework enables the federal government to identify future policy priorities and to build on previous actions to improve evidence-based decision making and budgeting. “The Quality of Life Framework for Canada is organized into domains, each of which includes a number of indicators, as shown on the . These domains were selected based on evidence of the determinants of well-being to reflect what matters most for quality of life in Canada: prosperity, health, society, the environment and good governance. In addition, the indicators of life satisfaction and sense of meaning and purpose are included as overall measures of quality of life.” Well-Being Economy “A Wellbeing Economy is an economy designed to serve people and the planet, not the other way around. Rather than treating economic growth as an end in and of itself and pursuing it at all costs, a Wellbeing Economy puts our human and planetary needs at the centre of its activities, ensuring that these needs are all equally met, by default” Discussion Questions An increase in GDP is often assumed to be positive for society overall. Does this episode change your assumptions about growth? Naomi shared some of the limitations of using GDP as a measure of well-being in the episode. What are some other examples of these types of limitations? What does GDP overlook? How might alternatives like the “Canadian Index of Wellbeing” and “A Quality of Life Framework for Canada” help address some of the shortcomings of pursuing economic growth at all costs? Can you imagine how your local food system might look differently if we used quality of life indicators (like public and environmental health impacts) as the primary motivators for food production and distribution? In many ways, our current economic system forces governments to pursue economic growth (sustaining employment, repaying debt, etc.). What changes to our economic system can allow governments to pursue wellbeing over economic growth? Explore the additional resources in the show notes for more information. /episode/index/show/handpickedpodcast/id/28326440

Season 3, Episode 5 - “Resilient Communities for the Future”: A GIAHS Designation for Agroforestry in Brazil" 10/05/2023

Season 3, Episode 5 - “Resilient Communities for the Future”: A GIAHS Designation for Agroforestry in Brazil" Featuring Dr. Evelyn Nimmo In this episode of Handpicked: Stories from the Field, we sit down with Dr. Evelyn Nimmo, a Research Associate with the LCSFS and the President of the Center for the Development and Education of Traditional Erva-mate Systems (CEDErva) in Paraná, Brazil. Dr. Nimmo shares the ongoing process of applying for the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) designation for the traditional agroforestry practices of growing erva-mate in Brazil. She shares the community-focused process, and how this designation might positively affect the practice on the ground. Contributors Co-Producers & Hosts: & Amanda Di Battista Producer: Sound Design & Editing: Narayan Subramoniam Guests Support & Funding Music Credits Keenan Reimer-Watts Resources Connect with Us: Email: Twitter/X: Facebook: Glossary of Terms Season 3, Episode 5 – “Resilient Communities for the Future”: A GIAHS Designation for Agroforestry in Brazil" Featuring: Dr. Evelyn Nimmo Glossary of Terms  Agroecology “Agroecology is a holistic and integrated approach that simultaneously applies ecological and social concepts and principles to the design and management of sustainable agriculture and food systems. It seeks to optimize the interactions between plants, animals, humans and the environment while also addressing the need for socially equitable food systems within which people can exercise choice over what they eat and how and where it is produced.” Agrobiodiversity “Agrobiodiversity is the result of the interaction between the environment, genetic resources and management systems and practices used by culturally diverse peoples, and therefore land and water resources are used for production in different ways. Thus, agrobiodiversity encompasses the variety and variability of animals, plants and micro-organisms that are necessary for sustaining key functions of the agro-ecosystem, including its structure and processes for, and in support of, food production and food security (FAO, 1999a). Local knowledge and culture can therefore be considered as integral parts of agrobiodiversity, because it is the human activity of agriculture that shapes and conserves this biodiversity.” Agroforestry “Agroforestry is a collective name for land-use systems and technologies where woody perennials (trees, shrubs, palms, bamboos, etc.) are deliberately used on the same land-management units as agricultural crops and/or animals, in some form of spatial arrangement or temporal sequence. In agroforestry systems there are both ecological and economical interactions between the different components. Agroforestry can also be defined as a dynamic, ecologically based, natural resource management system that, through the integration of trees on farms and in the agricultural landscape, diversifies and sustains production for increased social, economic and environmental benefits for land users at all levels. In particular, agroforestry is crucial to smallholder farmers and other rural people because it can enhance their food supply, income and health. Agroforestry systems are multifunctional systems that can provide a wide range of economic, sociocultural, and environmental benefits.” Araucária “The Araucaria moist forests ecoregion spans the mountainous areas of Southern Atlantic Brazil and extends into northeastern Argentina. It is a coniferous forest ecoregion of the Atlantic Forest biome” “The Araucária Forest once covered 40% of the territory of Paraná... following centuries of unrestrained timber extraction and misguided political decisions, the forest only has an unbelievable 3% of its original area” Community of Practice “A community of practice (CoP) is a group of people who share a common concern, a set of problems, or an interest in a topic and who come together to fulfill both individual and group goals. Communities of practice often focus on sharing best practices and creating new knowledge to advance a domain of professional practice. Interaction on an ongoing basis is an important part of this. Many communities of practice rely on face-to-face meetings as well as web-based collaborative environments to communicate, connect and conduct community activities.” Conscientization “The process of developing a critical awareness of one’s social reality through reflection and action. Action is fundamental because it is the process of changing the reality. Paulo Freire says that we all acquire social myths which have a dominant tendency, and so learning is a critical process which depends upon uncovering real problems and actual needs.” Dynamic Conservation Plan “Dynamic conservation strategies which are designed to create, retain or enhance habitat in temporary and adaptable ways, can reinforce the value of protected areas and help species persist in a changing world. Developing and deploying dynamic conservation strategies is especially important for migratory species, marine systems and for adaptive management of climate change-driven species redistributions. Dynamic conservation strategies will become increasingly important for biodiversity conservation, especially as a means of facilitating adaptation to climate change and its concomitant variability and extremes, such as extended drought.” Erva Mate/ Chimarrão (Portuguese) / Yerba mate (Spanish) “Erva-mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is a tree that grows naturally in the Araucaria Forest, which is part of the Atlantic Forest biome, an ecosystem that is at risk of extinction. Within the region known as the Rio de la Plata Basin, where important Brazilian rivers flow, such as the Paraná, Iguaçu, Uruguay and Paraguay Rivers, erva-mate is linked to the traditions of the original inhabitants of southern Brazil. A key element in the Araucaria Forest, erva mate is cultivated and harvested to provide nutritious and delicious teas and infusions that are part of indigenous and settler food ways and cultures.” Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) “Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) are agroecosystems inhabited by communities that live in an intricate relationship with their territory. These evolving sites are resilient systems characterized by remarkable agrobiodiversity, traditional knowledge, invaluable cultures and landscapes, sustainably managed by farmers, herders, fisherfolk, and forest people in ways that contribute to their livelihoods and food security. Through the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems Programme, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has designated over 60 sites around the world.” Industrial Agriculture System Large scale, intensive agriculture or animal production systems that rely on chemical fertilizers, and practices that lack diversity, such as monocropping and genetic modification. These systems are built to maximize production and profit, often at the expense of biodiversity and the health and wellbeing of animals. Discussion Questions Season 3, Episode 5 – “Resilient Communities for the Future”: A GIAHS Designation for Agroforestry in Brazil" Featuring: Dr. Evelyn Nimmo Discussion Questions 1. How might the GIAHS designation (and project activities like creating digital narratives) help convince young people to stay in their communities and farm using traditional systems? Why is this a goal for the project? 2. Dr. Nimmo talks about the “human elements” of the erva mate system, why are those just as important as the biophysical elements? What might this mean for our understanding of ‘conservation’? 3. A goal of the project is to help traditional farmers recover autonomy and recognition, to challenge the invisibilization of the farmer in the supply chain of erva mate. Can you apply this idea of invisibilization to your own experience of accessing food? Do you know of concepts, social movements or business approaches that attempt to increase democracy in food systems? What is the role of consumers in all of this? 4. How does the work of CEDErva, and the erva mate growers, challenge common perceptions of what is meant by “modern” and “innovative” when it comes to food systems? 5. What role does farmer-to-farmer knowledge sharing, and recognition of the role of Indigenous knowledge, play in a process of reconciliation in settler-colonial contexts like Brazil (and other places)? /episode/index/show/handpickedpodcast/id/28235834

Season 3, Episode 4 - “Farmer-led Research Helps us Realize That We're Really Innovators”: Improving Ecological Farming Practices and Farm-to-farm Knowledge Sharing with the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario Featuring Dr. Erin Nelson, Dr. Sarah Larsen, Heather Newman, Brent Preston In this episode of Handpicked: Stories from the Field, Dr. Erin Nelson from the University of Guelph interviews some of her community partners. She speaks with Dr. Sarah Larsen, Research Director at the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario, and two participants in its farmer-led research program, Heather Newman and Brent Preston. The episode covers ecological farming and farmer-led research and shares important examples of what this looks like in the (quite literally) field. Contributors Co-Producers & Hosts: & Amanda Di Battista Producer: Sound Design & Editing: Narayan Subramoniam Guests Support & Funding Music Credits Keenan Reimer-Watts Resources Connect with Us: Email: Twitter/X: Facebook: Glossary of Terms Agroecology “Agroecology is a holistic and integrated approach that simultaneously applies ecological and social concepts and principles to the design and management of sustainable agriculture and food systems. It seeks to optimize the interactions between plants, animals, humans and the environment while also addressing the need for socially equitable food systems within which people can exercise choice over what they eat and how and where it is produced.” Biodiversity “Biological diversity — or — is the variety of life on Earth, in all its forms, from genes and bacteria to entire ecosystems such as forests or coral reefs. The biodiversity we see today is the result of 4.5 billion years of evolution, increasingly influenced by humans. Biodiversity forms the web of life that we depend on for so many things – food, water, medicine, a stable climate, economic growth, among others.” Climate Change Adaptation “Adaptation refers to adjustments in ecological, social or economic systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli and their effects. It refers to changes in processes, practices and structures to moderate potential damages or to benefit from opportunities associated with climate change. In simple terms, countries and communities need to develop adaptation solutions and implement actions to respond to current and future climate change impacts.” Ecological Agriculture “Regenerative, organic and other holistic practices that improve soil health, protect vital resources such as water and biodiversity, reduce synthetic inputs and prioritize renewable energy sources. Socially engaged practices that ensure that farming communities are diverse, vibrant, and resilient, while making healthy agricultural products accessible. Forward-looking practices that are knowledge-intensive and regionally specific, and embrace the potential benefits that innovation and technology provide.” EFAO “The Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario (EFAO) supports farmers to build resilient ecological farms and grow a strong knowledge-sharing community. Established in 1979 by farmers for farmers, EFAO is a membership organization that focuses on farmer-led education, research and community building. EFAO brings farmers together so they can learn from each other and improve the health of their soils, crops, livestock and the environment, to steward resilient ecological farms.” Extension Services “An agricultural extension service offers technical advice on agriculture to farmers, and also supplies them with the necessary inputs and services to support their agricultural production. It provides information to farmers and passes to the farmers new ideas developed by agricultural research stations. Agricultural extension programmes cover a broad area including improved crop varieties, better livestock control, improved water management, and the control of weeds, pests or plant diseases. Where appropriate, agricultural extension may also help to build up local farmers' groups and organizations so that they can benefit from extension programmes. Agricultural extension, therefore, provides the indispensable elements that farmers need to improve their agricultural productivity.” . Farmer-led research “Farmer-led research is a process of inquiry that uses the scientific method to address your on-farm curiosities and challenges in a way that is compatible with your farming and your equipment. It is a flexible and powerful tool that can be integral to improving operations on your farm, including the environmental and economic impacts of your innovations and comparisons.” Tillage “Tillage—turning the soil to control for weeds and pests and to prepare for seeding—has long been part of crop farming. However, intensive soil tillage can increase the likelihood of soil erosion, nutrient runoff into nearby waterways, and the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. A reduction in how often or how intensively cropland is tilled enables the soil to retain more organic matter, which leaves the soil less susceptible to wind and water erosion and helps store, or "sequester," carbon.” Discussion Questions What are some of the benefits of “farmer-led research” compared to research proposed and carried out by an external organization or agency? What did hearing from the farmer-researchers themselves add to your understanding? The farmer-researchers talk about isolation in the farming profession. How do you think participation in the farmer-led research program could help with that isolation? One guest mentioned the de-funding of extension services in Canada. Why do you think access to knowledge about ecological and organic farming might be in decline? How do you think farmer-led research could make up for some of this loss of knowledge in Canada? How might farmer-led extension services differ from- and improve upon- more traditional structures of agricultural extension? /episode/index/show/handpickedpodcast/id/28169816

Season 3, Episode 3 - Handpicked Presents: The Indigenous Health and Food Systems Podcast – “Environmental Dispossession:” 09/22/2023

Season 3, Episode 3 - Handpicked Presents: The Indigenous Health and Food Systems Podcast – “Environmental Dispossession:” Hosted by: Dr. Marylynn Steckley Produced in collaboration with: Dr. Sonia Wesche, Victoria Marchand, & Dr. Josh Steckley In this episode of Handpicked: Stories from the Field, we present an episode of the Indigenous Health and Food Systems Podcast called, “Environmental Dispossession, Land, and the Environment” This podcast is hosted by Dr. Marylynn Steckley from Carleton University and is produced in collaboration with Dr. Sonia Wesche and Victoria Marchand from the University of Ottawa and Dr. Josh Steckley from the University of Toronto, Scarborough. The Indigenous Health and Food Systems Podcast aims to elevate the voices of Indigenous scholars in the areas of Indigenous health, food sovereignty, and the social determinants of health. This episode explores the complicated nature of Indigenous connections to land, and how that impacts Indigenous food systems. The guests in the episode explore ideas of environmental dispossession, traditional Indigenous food practices, and environmental stewardship. Contributors Co-Producers & Hosts: Laine Young & Amanda Di Battista Producer: Charlie Spring Sound Design & Editing: Laine Young & Narayan Subramoniam Guests Dr. Kahente Horn-Miller Dr. Hannah Tait Neufeld Ida Harkness Emily Charman Chanel Best Brette Thomson Hannah Arnold Support & Funding Dr. Josh Steckley was supported by the Wilfrid Laurier University The Laurier Centre for Sustainable Food Systems Balsillie School for International Affairs CIGI Music Credits Keenan Reimer-Watts Keith Whiteduck Resources Connect with Us: Email: Twitter/X: Facebook: Glossary of Terms Alienation In Marxist thought, the separation of humans from meaningful engagement with their lifeworlds, specifically through wage labour. Colonialism “Colonialism has been defined as systems and practices that ‘seek to impose the will of one people on another and to use the resources of the imposed people for the benefit of the imposer’ (Assante, 2006). Colonialism can operate within political, sociological, cultural values and systems of a place even after occupation by colonizers has ended. Colonization is defined as the act of political, physical and intellectual occupation of space by the (often forceful) displacement of Indigenous populations, and gives rise to settler-colonialism, colonial and neo-colonial relations, and coloniality." The Coming Faces/ Seven Generations The Coming Faces is a metaphor for future generations that will need food, water, and land (Horn-Miller – this episode). It is a way of acting with future generations in mind and aligns with the Anishnabek principle of the Seven Generations (Steckley – this episode). Crown Land Land owned by the provincial government. Displacement An act of physical and spiritual removal of people from land, an act of colonization. Environmental Dispossession This describes the loss of land and physical displacement that has resulted in Indigenous populations experiencing trauma, poverty, health and other social problems. Environmental Stewardship “The responsible use and protection of the natural environment through conservation and sustainable practices to enhance ecosystem resilience and human well-being" Food sovereignty  "Food Sovereignty is the right of peoples to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods, and their right to define their own food and agriculture systems."    Grounded Normativity “Term by Indigenous scholar Glen Coulthard to describe Indigenous peoples’ relationships to land and place, and the solidarity that emerges from this." Indian Act A policy enacted by the federal government in 1876 which led to the elimination of any Indigenous self-government, mandated attendance in residential schools, banned Indigenous spiritual and cultural activities, removal of land, and other discriminatory actions. Land Back “a movement that has existed for generations with a long legacy of organizing and sacrifice to get Indigenous Lands back into Indigenous hands.” Original Instructions The constellation of teachings and ethical guidelines for living: for hunting, family and ceremonial life, and so on. Residential Schools The Indian residential schools operated in Canada between the 1870s and 1990s, with the goal of assimilating Indigenous people into settler society. These were ran by the Canadian government and various churches. Over 150,000 Indigenous people are estimated to have attended these institutions. Indigenous children were separated from their families, forbidden to speak their traditional languages, and many suffered extreme physical, mental, spiritual, emotional and sexual abuse, neglect, and death. Resurgence Unlike reconciliation, Indigenous resurgence focuses less on reconciliation with settlers, and centres around Indigenous nations determining how Indigenous rights, recognition, and relationships with other peoples will be respected. Three Sisters Corn, beans and squash: three crops grown in symbiotic relationship in some Indigenous communities. In Haudenosaunee storytelling, the Three Sisters sprouted from the body of Sky Woman’s daughter. Discussion Questions What is land? What are some of the different ways that speakers described relating to land and land ownership? Why is the ‘family cottage’ a delicate conversation in Canada? In what ways do the concepts of Coming Faces and the Three Sisters speak to environmental sustainability? How does ‘land dispossession’ differ from ‘environmental dispossession’? How does history and the ongoing colonization faced by Indigenous people affect the food system? How could the return of land through the Land Back movement positively impact Indigenous people’s access to traditional foods and food practices? Many of the students in this episode expressed challenges with discussing the ideas of stolen land and the Land Back movement with their families. If you were going to discuss this with your family, what language and ideas would you use? /episode/index/show/handpickedpodcast/id/28113911

Season 3, Episode 2 - Handpicked Presents: The Indigenous Health and Food Systems Podcast – “What are Indigenous Foods?” 09/15/2023

Season 3, Episode 2 - Handpicked Presents: The Indigenous Health and Food Systems Podcast – “What are Indigenous Foods?” Hosted by: Produced in collaboration with: , Victoria Marchand & Dr. Josh Steckley In this episode of Handpicked: Stories from the Field, we present an episode of the Indigenous Health and Food Systems Podcast called, “What are Indigenous Foods?” This podcast is hosted by Dr. Marylynn Steckley from Carleton University and is produced in collaboration with Dr. Sonia Wesche and Victoria Marchand from the University of Ottawa and Dr. Josh Steckley from the University of Toronto, Scarborough. The Indigenous Health and Food Systems Podcast aims to elevate Indigenous scholars' voices in Indigenous health, food sovereignty, and the social determinants of health. This particular episode focuses on what Indigenous foods are, and how there are many complex answers to that question because of the impacts of colonization. Contributors Co-Producers & Hosts: Producer: Sound Design & Editing: Laine Young & Narayan Subramoniam Guests Ida Harkness Emily Charman Chanel Best Brette Thomson Havailah Arnold Support & Funding Dr. Josh Steckley was supported by the Music Credits Keenan Reimer-Watts Keith Whiteduck Resources Connect with Us: Email: Twitter/X: Facebook: Glossary of Terms Bannock “Bannock has meant many things to many Indigenous people throughout history, from pre-contact to the fur trade to present times. Before contact, Indigenous people made their own types of bannock and breads using camas bulbs, lichen, moss, cattails, roasted acorns and other plants and roots that were Indigenous to their traditional territories. After contact, Indigenous people began to use wheat and oat flour brought over by the Scottish during the fur trade. Flour was a non-Indigenous food but soon became the staple ingredient in bannock, and in the lives of Indigenous people.” Colonialism “Colonialism has been defined as systems and practices that ‘seek to impose the will of one people on another and to use the resources of the imposed people for the benefit of the imposer’ (Assante, 2006). Colonialism can operate within political, sociological, cultural values and systems of a place even after occupation by colonizers has ended. Colonization is defined as the act of political, physical and intellectual occupation of space by the (often forceful) displacement of Indigenous populations, and gives rise to settler-colonialism, colonial and neo-colonial relations, and coloniality.” Dish with One Spoon Wampum Belt A symbol and reminder of covenants between the 5 Nations of the Haudenosaunee and the Dutch Government that guided later treaty-building and envisaged a relationship of reciprocity and sharing (that all people sharing a territory should leave enough for others), a promise that many Indigenous people feel was broken many times. Foodways A term to describe peoples’ cultural, social and economic food practices, habits and desires (Alkon et al.) Kanyen'kehà:ka Mohawk language. Sky Woman The story of how Sky Woman fell from Skyworld to start life on Turtle Island, passed down and told by different Iroquoian-speaking people to describe the creation of human life on earth but also telling aspects of the Original Instructions guiding relations between humans and the natural world (Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass). Discussion Questions 1. In what ways might Indigenous people have a complicated relationship with bannock? Is ‘authenticity’ a useful term for thinking about food heritage and tradition? 2. What does Kahente Horn-Miller mean by “food is relational”? 3. What visuals or emotions come up for you when hearing the story of ‘Sky Woman’? How does this story compare to other human origin stories- what are the implications for the way we think about food and food systems? 4. How do we make sense of, respect, and value traditional Indigenous diets and contemporary foodways today? How do we bring together understanding, and respect, and desire to keep alive traditions and ancestral foods in the contemporary post-colonial world? 5. How does the term ‘foodways’ differ from ‘food systems’ in communicating peoples’ relationship with food? /episode/index/show/handpickedpodcast/id/28046580

Season 3, Episode 1: “There’s Beauty in Diversity”: Connecting Food, Biodiversity, and Sustainability 09/08/2023

Season 3, Episode 1: “There’s Beauty in Diversity”: Connecting Food, Biodiversity, and Sustainability In this episode of Handpicked: Stories from the Field, your hosts speak with Dr. Alison Blay-Palmer about the UNESCO Chair on Food, Biodiversity, and Sustainability. Dr. Blay-Palmer tells us about the priorities of the Chair (sustainable food production, Indigenous and traditional foodways, & transitions to just food systems) and some of the projects supported through the network. We also speak with some attendees of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity’s COP15 meetings in December 2022 about agroecology, biodiversity, and their hopes for the future with the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). ContributorsCo-Producers & Hosts: Amanda Di Battista & Laine Young Producer: Charlie SpringSound Design & Editing: Laine Young & Narayan Subramoniam GuestDr. Alison Blay-Palmer Lauren Baker Mariann Bassey-Orovwuje Marie-Christine Cormier-Salem Tammi Jonas Sabrina Masinjila Support & Funding Music CreditsKeenan Reimer-Watts Resources Connect with Us: Email: Twitter: @Handpickedpodc Facebook: Glossary of Terms Agroecology “Agroecology is a holistic and integrated approach that simultaneously applies ecological and social concepts and principles to the design and management of sustainable agriculture and food systems. It seeks to optimize the interactions between plants, animals, humans and the environment while also addressing the need for socially equitable food systems within which people can exercise choice over what they eat and how and where it is produced.” Agroforestry “Agroforestry is a collective name for land-use systems and technologies where woody perennials (trees, shrubs, palms, bamboos, etc.) are deliberately used on the same land-management units as agricultural crops and/or animals, in some form of spatial arrangement or temporal sequence. In agroforestry systems there are both ecological and economical interactions between the different components. Agroforestry can also be defined as a dynamic, ecologically based, natural resource management system that, through the integration of trees on farms and in the agricultural landscape, diversifies and sustains production for increased social, economic and environmental benefits for land users at all levels.” Biodiversity “Biological diversity — or — is the variety of life on Earth, in all its forms, from genes and bacteria to entire ecosystems such as forests or coral reefs. The biodiversity we see today is the result of 4.5 billion years of evolution, increasingly influenced by humans. Biodiversity forms the web of life that we depend on for so many things – food, water, medicine, a stable climate, economic growth, among others.” Conference of Parties (COP) “The Conference of the Parties is the governing body of the Convention (on Biological Diversity), and advances implementation of the Convention through the decisions it takes at its periodic meetings.” Food sovereignty  "Food Sovereignty is the right of peoples to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods, and their right to define their own food and agriculture systems."    Industrial Food System Large scale, intensive agriculture or animal production systems that rely on chemical fertilizers, and practices that lack diversity, such as monocropping and genetic modification. These systems are built to maximize production and profit, often at the expense of biodiversity and the health and wellbeing of animals. Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework  “The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) was adopted during the following a four year . This historic Framework, which supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and builds on the Convention’s previous Strategic Plans, sets out an ambitious pathway to reach the global vision of a world living in harmony with nature by 2050.” Monocropping "Monocropping is planting and growing one type of plant in the same place, year after year. It’s the type of planting that occurs under a type of agriculture called monoculture... Monoculture is an agricultural system that involves the planting of a single crop, over and over.” . Sustainable Food System Food systems that are “socially just, support local economies; are ecologically regenerative, and foster citizen engagement.” UNESCO Chairs Programme “A UNESCO Chair is a team led by a or research institution that partners with UNESCO on a project to advance knowledge and practice in an area of common priority. The partnership is formalized through an agreement between the Director-General of UNESCO and the head of the institution hosting the UNESCO Chair (Rector, President, Vice-Chancellor). Established within a teaching or research unit/department/faculty of the higher education or research institution, the UNESCO Chair is led by an academic head referred to as the Chairholder. The Chairholder is supported by a team of faculty members, lecturers, researchers and students from the host institutions and personnel from other partner organizations (e.g. other institutions, NGOs, public and private sector, authorities) in the host country and in other countries who are associated with the activities of the Chair.” United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity “The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is the international legal instrument for ‘the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources’ that has been ratified by 196 nations. Its overall objective is to encourage actions, which will lead to a sustainable future.” . Discussion Questions What are some connections between food systems, sustainability and biodiversity? In what ways might biodiversity help address challenges related to climate change? How does agroecology help to address the 3 pillars of the UNESCO Chair (sustainable food production, traditional and Indigenous food systems, and transitions to just food systems)? What is the role and purpose of networks like the UNESCO chair? Why is it important to include both western science and traditional knowledge within these networks? Why was it so important for smallholder farmers/peasants, Indigenous people, youth, and women to be involved in the development of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF)? /episode/index/show/handpickedpodcast/id/27981669

Season 2 Episode 4: "We can’t simply redistribute food waste to hungry people”: Food Waste, the Right to Food, and Municipal Solutions in Vancouver 04/21/2022

Season 2 Episode 4: "We can’t simply redistribute food waste to hungry people”: Food Waste, the Right to Food, and Municipal Solutions in Vancouver In this episode of Handpicked: Stories from the Field, we talked to Jamie-Lynne Varney, a master's student in the School of Resource and Environmental Management at Simon Fraser University (SFU) who prepared the recent report, “Right to Food Framework for Tackling Food Waste and Achieving a Just Circular Economy of Food in Vancouver, B.C.” This report was a collaboration between the Food Systems Lab at SFU and the Vancouver Economic Commission. The process brought together community experts from across the food system to uncover ways to make these food systems more sustainable by reframing food waste using a Right to Food approach. Using “Theory of Change” methodology, Jamie-Lynne and her colleagues identified existing challenges and opportunities in the food system and suggested possible interventions for creating pathways to a more just and circular food system in Vancouver. ContributorsCo-Producers & Hosts: Amanda Di Battista & Laine Young Sound Design & Editing: Adedotun Babajide GuestJamie-Lynne Varney Support & Funding Music CreditsKeenan Reimer-Watts Adedotun Babajide Resources Connect with Us: Email: Twitter: @Handpickedpodc Facebook: Glossary of Terms Circular Economy “In a circular economy, nothing is wasted. The circular economy retains and recovers as much value as possible from resources by reusing, repairing, refurbishing, remanufacturing, repurposing, or recycling products and materials. It’s about using valuable resources wisely, thinking about waste as a resource instead of a cost, and finding innovative ways to better the environment and the economy.” Food Insecurity Inadequate access to nutritional, safe and culturally appropriate food due to financial or other constraints. Food Loss “Food that gets spilled, spoilt or otherwise lost, or incurs reduction of quality and value during its process in the food supply chain before it reaches its final product stage. Food loss typically takes place at production, post-harvest, processing, and distribution stages in the food supply chain.” Food Surplus “Food surplus occurs when the supply, availability and nutritional requirements of food exceeds the demand for it, and can take place at every stage of the supply chain from farms to households. Food surplus leads to either edible food and other products left unsold at supermarkets or restaurants, or piling up in farms and storages, ultimately resulting in food waste and loss. Food surplus is not necessarily , but rather a proxy for it. It can be defined as the step before food waste, where producers and consumers consciously and actively discard food.” Food Waste “Food that completes the food supply chain up to a final product, of good quality and fit for consumption, but still doesn't get consumed because it is discarded, whether or not after it is left to spoil or expire. Food waste typically (but not exclusively) takes place at retail and consumption stages in the food supply chain.” Regenerative Foodscapes 6 principles: “1) Acknowledging and including diverse forms of knowing and being 2) Taking care of people, animals, and the planet 3) Moving beyond capitalist approaches 4) Commoning the food system 5) Promoting accountable innovations 6) Long-term planning and rural–urban relations” Right to Food Framework “The right to food is the right to have unrestricted access to sufficient quantities of food that fulfil physical, spiritual, and cultural needs, produced in ways that support the rights and labour of workers, and obtained in ways that promote dignity, reduce stress, and support social and psychological wellbeing.” Supply Chain A food supply chain is the path that food takes from production to consumption and eventually waste. Theory of Change Theory of Change is essentially a comprehensive description and illustration of how and why a desired change is expected to happen in a particular context. It is focused in particular on mapping out or “filling in” what has been described as the “missing middle” between what a program or change initiative does (its activities or interventions) and how these lead to desired goals being achieved. Discussion Questions What are the differences between food waste and food surplus? Why is the difference in language important for food charity that relies on surplus food? How might the use of those terms impact the people accessing food charities? What are some differences you notice between a charity model of food access and a Right to Food framework? How might a Right to Food framework impact current charity models that imagine the redistribution of food waste as a key solution to food insecurity? After hearing about the work done in Vancouver, what changes do you think could be made in your own city regarding food waste and equity? What are some ways you think that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted food access and equity? Choose a processed food that typically follows a linear food supply chain (e.g., beer) and consider what might need to change for this product to be part of a more circular economy and to reduce food loss. /episode/index/show/handpickedpodcast/id/22870091