Exploring Indigenous-informed contributions to decision-making to support improved food security in Canada: a scoping review

Indigenous-informed food security initiatives are gaining global recognition for their potential to foster sustainable, community-minded solutions, while centering environmental stewardship, and the preservation of culturally significant foodways. Despite this growing aknowledgement, Indigenous involvement in decision-making related to improved food security in Canada remains underexplored. This review aims to contribute to deepened understandings of how Indigenous inputs are guiding current food security decision-making processes, and how these approaches are being applied in the context of mixed food systems throughout Canada. A systematic search of five online databases was conducted to examine the existing literature on Indigenous-informed food security efforts in Canada, exploring key themes, gaps and recommendations. Yielding a total of 1916 results, 39 of which were retained for further analysis, this search highlighted a broad swath of initiatives, programs, policies and strategies, developed by, in partnership with, or centering the perspectives of Indigenous communities. These existing initiatives frame how Indigenous groups are already guiding food security action in Canada, and what factors need to be considered to ensure on-going effectiveness. Findings highlight the need for more collaborative, cross-sectoral, community-minded food security initiatives, which integrate both support for Indigenous self-determination and recognize the validity of traditional knowledges within decision-making processes at all levels.