Canada, Manitoba Invest in Enhancing Opportunities for Indigenous Participation in Agricultural Sector in Manitoba

Press Release

August 1, 2023

Funding is now available for initiatives that will support Indigenous participation, address barriers and build on opportunities in the agriculture and agri-food economy under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson announced today.

“Ensuring Indigenous communities and organizations are equipped with the agricultural knowledge, skills and technology to increase their participation in the agricultural economy is critical,” said MacAulay. “We recognize that Indigenous communities have diverse and unique realities and the flexibility of the programs announced today reflect that diversity. Fostering relationships and working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples will support inclusive growth of the agri-food sector and contribute to economic reconciliation.”

“Food security and sovereignty are critical, and these funding streams will empower communities in developing food systems solutions that enhance access to affordable and nutritious food while increasing economic opportunities through sustainable and culturally respectful methods,” said Johnson. “Our government is addressing barriers to Indigenous participation in agriculture and agri-food with funding to improve access to training and capacity-building, capital investments, food system development and expansion, agriculture planning, and increasing youth involvement.”

As a result of engagement, two streams of funding have been developed to support equitable access to funding and strengthen relationships with Indigenous Peoples:

Indigenous Agriculture and Food Systems: supports actions and activities that increase food security and sovereignty in communities, including supporting and enhancing the revitalization of traditional food systems and increased participation in the agriculture and agri-food sector;
Relationship Development and Engagement: supports actions and activities that engage and enhance relationships between Indigenous Peoples, industry and academia with an aim to encourage collaboration and advance opportunities in agriculture.

“We are encouraged that these new programs focus on Indigenous-led agriculture and food systems work here in Manitoba,” said Julie Price, Northern Manitoba Food, Culture and Community Collaborative. “Annually the Northern Manitoba Food, Culture and Community Collaborative provides funding and support to nearly 50 Indigenous-led initiatives across Manitoba, however, most initiatives have received little or no provincial or federal agriculture support despite being funding-ready. By explicitly focusing on Indigenous projects, these new programs are an important step towards a stronger, more inclusive food systems and agricultural sector.”

Programming has been developed to increase Indigenous sector participation, establishing and growing food systems, and supporting partnerships and collaboration. The Indigenous Agriculture and Food Systems program will provide funding across four funding streams:

Planning and consulting activities, which support access to community-driven, culturally relevant services and the development of resource materials, up to a maximum of $80,000.
Training activities, which support sharing skills, group learning and knowledge transfer events, up to a maximum of $10,000.
Enhancing Indigenous food systems activities, which support the design and development of community-based food systems from planning and training through to implementation, up to a maximum of $200,000.
Capital equipment and software activities, which support access to capital items required in implementing and/or scaling up food system/agriculture projects from production and processing to preservation, with a 50 per cent government and 50 per cent applicant cost-sharing up to a maximum of $50,000 in funding.

The Engagement and Relationship Development program will provide small funding grants of up to $5,000 per application to support meaningful engagement activities prior to exploring ideas and initiating projects.

Funding is available for food system work guided by traditional knowledge systems, including activities that have not been funded under previous frameworks, such as traditional gathering and processing practices. Projects are anticipated to vary greatly and be specific to communities’ needs. They could range from building a community garden to completing agricultural feasibility studies, noted Johnson.

The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3.5-billion investment by Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial governments that supports Canada’s agri-food and agri-products sectors. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5-billion commitment that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.

The program launches today and is open until Oct. 27. For additional program details and application forms, visit https://www.gov.mb.ca/scap/.

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For more information:

Public information, contact Manitoba Government Inquiry: 1-866-626-4862 or 204-945-3744.
Media requests for general information, contact Communications and Engagement: newsroom@gov.mb.ca.
Media requests for ministerial comment, contact Communications and Stakeholder Relations: 204-451-7109.

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