Indigenous Knowledge Systems Crucial for Strong Food Sovereignty

OTTAWA, Ontario, Sept. 24, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- A new report from the Council of Canadian Academies examines the challenges of bridging knowledge systems through the lens of Indigenous food sovereignty, a priority that depends on more than access to food. The integrity, continuity, and self-determination of Indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) are essential for achieving strong food sovereignty and better decision-making. While recognition is an important first step, the report finds that these approaches can remain extractive when they do not share decision-making power or provide reciprocal benefits to the communities that hold and practice these knowledges. Healthy Indigenous knowledge systems cannot be separated from Indigenous rights, sovereignty, governance, and self-determination.

The report, which was commissioned by the Government of Canada’s Interdepartmental Indigenous Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (I-STEM) Cluster, focuses on Indigenous food sovereignty and food security as an entry point for understanding how Indigenous knowledge systems can be supported in policy and governance. The Council of Canadian Academies’ expert panel, chaired by Treena Wasonti:io Delormier, emphasizes that Indigenous ways of knowing are diverse and living knowledge systems that have existed since time immemorial. The report’s authors hope that the intentions woven into this work will be carried forward by policy-makers, decision-makers, scholars, knowledge users, and community members as evidence and guidance for bridging Indigenous knowledge systems in ways that value respectful relationships built on reciprocity and shared authority.

The Council of Canadian Academies (CCA) is a non-profit organization that provides independent, evidence-based advice to the Government of Canada on science, technology, and policy issues. The CCA’s work often focuses on Indigenous knowledge systems and their integration into policy and governance. The report’s findings suggest that there is a need for more inclusive and reciprocal approaches to knowledge sharing and decision-making that respect Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination.

The report’s authors recommend three phases for bridging knowledge systems in policy and governance: building strong foundations, developing respectful relationships, and co-developing governance approaches that share authority and respond to shared priorities. By advancing Indigenous priorities and strengthening social, environmental, and economic outcomes for everyone in Canada, the report aims to foster a more equitable and sustainable future.

The CCA’s President and CEO, Tijs Creutzberg, emphasizes that this report invites governments, institutions, and all people in Canada to think differently about what it means to work with Indigenous knowledge systems. The CCA’s work, including this report, is critical in promoting a more inclusive and respectful approach to Indigenous knowledge systems and their integration into policy and governance. The CCA’s research and recommendations provide valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders seeking to support Indigenous food sovereignty and food security.