The federal government is striving to develop a better and more inclusive agriculture sector in June, which is devoted to celebrating the achievements, history, and cultures of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people. The objective is to strengthen meaningful ties with Indigenous Peoples while also minimizing obstacles for underrepresented groups.
On June 18, on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, the Minister of Indigenous Services, the Honourable Marc Miller, announced investments totaling over $4 million in 16 projects that will support Indigenous food systems initiatives, provide equitable access to healthy food, and encourage and increase participation of under-represented groups in the agriculture and agri-food sectors.
4-C Farms Limited Partnership was one of the recipients, receiving up to $954,000 to re-establish grain farming as a viable business and career path, and to finish a business plan to allow Cowessess First Nation to grow its farming operation to 2,000 acres. Another recipient named Xaxli'p First Nation got up to $88,000 to perform a market research, a land capability assessment, and an irrigation water supply evaluation to enable the community to engage in a variety of agricultural activities.
These initiatives, which are supported by the Indigenous Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative and the AgriDiversity Program, expand on $2.1 million in prior government funding. The Indian Agricultural Program of Ontario (IAPO), the Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC), the Wikwemikong Development Commission and the Northern Farm Training Institute (NFTI) have all worked on projects to support Indigenous agricultural and food efforts.