Addressing food security and expanding opportunities for Indigenous communities in Manitoba

There is a growing global demand for more protein. Many people across Canada are food insecure—specifically in rural and remote Indigenous communities where fresh, nutrient-dense groceries often come with a hefty price tag. Today, Protein Industries Canada co-invested in a project through its Capacity Building program that will explore agri-food opportunities for Indigenous people to create jobs and expand economic development opportunities, while diversifying the value-added sector in Canada.

Prairie Research Kitchen at Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech), Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) and the College of Rehabilitation Sciences at the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba (UM) are partnering to address food insecurity and Indigenous food sovereignty barriers related to First Nation and Red River Métis food production and distribution systems.

This consortium is working with the Red River Métis and First Nation communities across Manitoba to accomplish the following:

• Increase access to affordable, nutritious, supply-stable and culturally appropriate food; and
• Create community-specific recipes that will incorporate pulses and other plant-based ingredients.

The collaborative creation of these food options aims to nourish and nurture long-term health outcomes, while increasing opportunities for student learning and jobs and contributing toward future Indigenous economic development.

“The investments into this project are advancing the future of food for all Canadians,” Protein Industries Canada CEO Robert Hunter said. “Diversifying the value-added sector provides protein options and country-wide economic growth that supports the expansion of Canada’s plant-based food and ingredient ecosystem. It’s equally important that we invest in communities and economic reconciliation with Indigenous people, ensuring the growth of this industry supports inclusion, shared prosperity and long-term partnerships across the country.”

Throughout this project, the consortium will collaborate with the communities in a variety of ways. Together, RRC Polytech, MMF and UM will engage community members, hire students and interns, perform market research on both existing food products and future resource applications, develop food products, teach hands on classes, and develop workshop materials to engage communities in food production and cooking skills. This project is expected to provide a case study for engaging in respectful discussions with Indigenous communities and creating an example for other organizations to follow a similar path forward.

“RRC Polytech is committed to elevating Indigenous Peoples and communities, so we’re excited for our team of experts at Prairie Research Kitchen (PRK) to join our partners in this transformative initiative,” said Jamie Wilson, Vice-President, Indigenous Strategy, Research and Business Development, RRC Polytech. “PRK’s professional staff and student workforce has led the way in embracing Truth and Reconciliation within our College community, and across the province at large, by being the first to create Indigenous research positions; mandating Four Seasons training for all staff; engaging students from the Indigenous Culinary Skills program; and actively pursuing and supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs. Their knowledge, understanding and eagerness to collaborate will be a tremendous asset to the project.”

"On behalf of the Manitoba Métis Federation – National Government of the Red River Métis, I am pleased today to be announcing a new partnership as part of a Consortium, together with Red River College Polytechnic, the University of Manitoba, and enabled by the commitment and funding provided through Protein Industries Canada,” said David Beaudin, Minister of Agriculture and Associate Minister of Provincial Education for the MMF. “This project will help facilitate the reimagining of Red River Métis food systems and will unlock new opportunities to better connect with our foods across the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. I look forward to seeing the project build value through capacity and skills development, all while enabling greater local access to nutritious food options."

Reg Urbanowski, dean of the College of Rehabilitation Sciences, said the project was inspired by discussions as part of a long-running partnership between the college and several First Nations communities. The original goal of the “We walk together for health and wellness” partnership was to bring physical, occupational and respiratory therapy services to the communities, but it has expanded to help the communities meet their wholistic health needs.

“It started off with specific projects, but has transformed to be all about relationships between community agencies, community members and the college. It is from these relationships that projects that communities need are born. It's about wholistic approaches to health, education and making community life better, helping people become more engaged, which is the one-health approach to rehabilitation,” he said.

The consortium will integrate both traditional Indigenous and Western perspectives, utilizing the philosophy of “Etuaptmumk” or “Two-Eyed Seeing.” This project is framed by two Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action and is based on commitments to the health of community members, economic development opportunities and the education and training of community members.

Of the $1.6 million invested into this project, Protein Industries Canada committed $1.2 million, and the partners co-invested the remaining.

Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech) is Manitoba’s only Polytechnic and largest institute of applied learning and research, with more than 200 full- and part-time degree, diploma and certificate options. Through hands-on learning opportunities and state-of-the-art instruction, we prepare more than 22,000 students annually to become leaders in their fields—while also ensuring they can meet changing industry demands and contribute to the province’s economic growth.

Research Partnerships & Innovation (RPI) leads the applied research enterprise across RRC Polytech. RPI is your gateway to the vast base of knowledge, capabilities, facilities, and industry networks that reside at Red River College Polytechnic — a Canadian leader in applied research and commercialization. rrc.ca

The Manitoba Métis Federation (the “MMF”) – National Government of the Red River Métis, is the democratically elected, self-government representative of the Red River Métis, also referred to as the Manitoba Métis. The Red River Métis name reflects the historical significance of having been Canada’s Negotiating Partner in Confederation and the Founders of Manitoba. The MMF was established in 1967 to provide democratic, responsible, and accountable governance on behalf of Red River Métis using the constitutional authorities delegated by our citizens. mmf.mb.ca

The University of Manitoba is recognized as Western Canada's first university, with more than 30,000 students, 5,000 academic staff, and more than 188,000 alumni. It is part of the U15, ranking among Canada’s top research-intensive universities and is Manitoba’s only medical-doctoral post-secondary institution. UM campuses are located on the original lands of the Anishinaabeg, Ininewuk, Anisininewuk, Dakota Oyate and Denesuline, and on the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. We respect the Treaties that were made on these territories, and we acknowledge the harms and mistakes of the past. For more information, please visit umanitoba.ca.