Invitation: 3rd North American Indigenous Food Symposium
Greetings:
In the summer of 2009, the Indigenous Peoples Program (IPP), Centre for Continuing and Distance Education, University of Saskatchewan will be presenting a turning point gathering. On June 4-6, 2009 the 3rd North American Indigenous Food Symposium (NAIFS 2009) will be held at Muskoday First Nation and Travelodge Hotel, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The symposium will be in partnership with the Muskoday Organic Workers Co-op, First Nations Agricultural Council of Saskatchewan Incorporated, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Heifer International, Saskatchewan Organic Directorate, the Aboriginal Education Research Centre and the Department of Native Studies at the University of Saskatchewan. The symposium will also be inviting indigenous food producers, organic companies and organizations to showcase their products and resources to the city of Saskatoon.The theme/focus of the symposium is “Principles and Practice of Indigenous Food Systems”. Findings, conclusions and action plans resulting from NAIFS 2009 will contribute directly to facilitating mobilization efforts addressing modes of food production, local organic food innovations and local responses to global issues.
Mandate:
The mandate will look to utilize the knowledge gained through sustainable agricultural methods in order to support indigenous communities in their environmental and traditional foods restoration activities. To implement this goal, our objectives will be to:
a.) Raise awareness of food access, sovereignty and safety among indigenous communities in North America;
b). To promote greater participation through dialogue and, by doing so, strengthen local movements and improve livelihood through self-sufficiency and independence; and to
c). Empower and heal our environment, culture, health and overall our community.
Strategy:
1) To create a set of educational materials on indigenous foods and health related issues, which will be accessible to community members from various Indigenous communities.
These materials will include:
1. Website, Posters and brochures
2. Booklet created from the NAIFS 09 gathering (June 4-6, 2009) profiling case studies of Indigenous communities, strategies, United Nations overview of indigenous food security/sovereignty, food access and safety as well as the state of the industry.
3. Completion of our follow-up film on health, food and Indigenous peoples. The footage is still to be collected from NAIFS 09.
2) Focus on several grassroots campaigns and focus areas on the frontline of this struggle in Canada, United States and Mexico, with support from farmers and representatives to create culturally specific materials and host networking convening’s and presentations in these areas of significant cultural and biological diversity.
3) Support for international outreach on these issues and work in international arena’s to further this agenda.
Keynote:
The NAIFS 2009 keynote will be farmer, activist and environmentalist Clayton Brascoupe, Director of the Traditional Native American Farmers’ Association (TNFA) based out of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Since 1992, TNAFA has been developing agricultural educational programs for indigenous communities, in the southwest of the United States and other parts of the globe. These programs are designed to address health, environmental and a safe food supply.
Brascoupé will be speaking on variety of topics including traditional native farming practices; the importance of traditional family-oriented farming; sustainable agriculture based on community ethics and traditions; community access to traditional seeds; educating community on traditional seed saving and the best approach in developing a sound future in agriculture. For more information regarding the important work by the Traditional Native American Farmers’ Association please visit www.tnafa.org.
Celebrity Keynote:
A descendent of the Xaxli’p Band of Lilloet, BC, Chef David Wolfman is a culinary arts professor at George Brown College in Toronto and is host, writer, and executive producer of the nationally televised “Cooking with the Wolfman”™ program on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN). David will be performing a cooking demonstration to our delegates under the topic “Traditional Foods with a Modern Twist”. He will discuss proper cooking methods and share his vast knowledge of organic and traditional foods that promote healthier eating habits and the bounty of nutritious and wholesome food. For more information regarding David’s work and recipes please visit www.cookingwiththewolfman.com
Registration:
To ensure that the NAIFS 2009 is well represented by all sectors of the province, the NAIFS committee is asking you to consider registering for the three day event or submit a research/project/poster as outlined in the attached document, “NAIFS 2009, Call for Papers/Posters”.
In registering or submitting a paper/poster to the NAIFS 2009, your organization will be making an important investment in health, education and the environment. With the help of socially responsible citizens, academics, corporate members of the community and civic organizations we are committed in our work to uplifting the cultural morale of the indigenous peoples of North America. We believe that by protecting and developing the integrity of traditional food systems is key to the heritage of indigenous peoples. We ask for your support and we look forward to hearing your response.
You can register through numerous ways:
1. By phone: call the registration office at (306) 966-5539 and have a major credit card available.
2. By fax: fill out the registration form attached and fax back to (306) 966-5590
3. By email: download, fill out and email a word document registration form. Website located at www.ccde.usask.ca/go/indigenous, email to alex.munoz@usask.ca.
4. In person: register at the registration office located at 221 Cumberland Avenue, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
To submit a paper/poster please see “NAIFS 2009, Call for Papers/Posters” attached.
Contact:
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (306) 966-2027 or (306) 261-4741.
Thank you,
Sincerely,
Alex Munoz, B. Sc., Advanced B.Sc.
Chair, NAIFS 2009
Indigenous Peoples Program
CCDE, University of Saskatchewan
221 Cumberland Ave, Room 481
Telephone: (306) 966-2027
Facsimile: (306) 966-5590
Email: alex.munoz@usask.ca
www.ccde.usask.ca/go/indigenous
