January 26, 2023
Food Sovereignty Now!
Featuring Dr. Priscilla Settee (University of Saskatchewan); Alejandro Argumedo (Swift Foundation); Kahehtoktha Janice Brant (Kenhte:ke Seed Sanctuary & Learning Centre). Simultaneous translation to Spanish & French available Indigenous Food Sovereignty is a decolonial practice and movement, grounded in the revitalization of Indigenous Peoples’ food systems, sacred stewardship responsibilities, and the assertion of their jurisdictions and lawways. In many Indigenous cultures, seeds are ancestors, sacred relatives that have been cared for over millennia, that are a central foundation of Indigenous food systems and sovereignties. In this panel, Indigenous seed keepers, activists and scholars will discuss the importance of seeds and biodiversity in Indigenous food systems, and share their work strengthening Indigenous Seed Sovereignty. This event is part of FOOD SOVEREIGNTY NOW!, the 2023 edition of the Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change’s annual research seminar series, in partnership with SeedChange. Inspired by La Via Campesina’s rallying cry, FOOD SOVEREIGNTY NOW will showcase the work of Indigenous, small farmer and peasant movements across Turtle Island and the Global South. Four webinars held over the winter term will explore themes related to Food & Seed Sovereignty, featuring movement leaders working to strengthen traditional and agroecological food systems and to defend women’s and farmers' rights, in the face of land grabbing, restrictive intellectual property right regimes and policies designed to support the expansion of corporate agribusiness. The series will be co-facilitated by Dr. Martha Stiegman (York, EUC), Beatriz Oliver and Leticia Ama Deawuo (SeedChange) with panels exploring: Indigenous seed sovereignty, seed laws & farmers’ rights, regional perspectives on agroecology as a movement and practice, and women seed keepers and leaders in agroecology. Presented by York University’s Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change, SeedChange and York’s Centre for Indigenous Knowledges and Languages.