Continuing the work of Truth and Reconciliation in Canada

As we continue the work of Truth and Reconciliation around Canada, those of us involved in school food systems have an important role to play in transforming them to welcome, honour and celebrate Indigenous food and foodways. Food is not neutral; it has been used as both a weapon of colonization and a pathway for healing.

In the residential school system, food was used to control, assimilate, and harm Indigenous children, replacing traditional diets with poor-quality rations and contributing to long-term trauma and disconnection from culture.

Today, many Indigenous communities continue to face food insecurity as a direct result of colonization and disrupted food systems. See the chart below, which shows that in 2022, 40.1% of children under 18 who identify as Indigenous were living in food-insecure households. (Just less than the striking reality that 46.3% of Black children were living in food-insecure households). [Reference – Li T, Fafard St-Germain AA, Tarasuk V. (2023) Household food insecurity in Canada, 2022. Toronto: Research to identify policy options to reduce food insecurity (PROOF). Retrieved from https://proof.utoronto.ca/]

Food is deeply tied to land, culture, and identity. Food is medicine. We all hold stories of food in our lives. Supporting Indigenous foodways in schools isn’t just about what’s on the plate; it’s about respect, relationship, and rematriation.

We are seeing the momentum of bringing more Indigenous voices and knowledge into school food programs. Important elements we are seeing in these programs include: reconnecting students to local, land-based food practices and community; taking steps to include traditional Indigenous foods in programs; and initiatives dedicated to educating organizations, schools, staff and students on the colonial history of food in Canada.

These actions align with the broader local food to schools actions, but with a necessary focus on truth, justice, and Indigenous food sovereignty.

September 30th marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and is an important opportunity to reflect, plan and commit to actions we can take as individuals and communities toward Truth and Reconciliation in the year ahead. As a member of a school food community, things you can do to support Indigenous school food programs and initiatives might include: Building relationships with local Indigenous communities and producers where possible; Incorporating traditional foods into meal planning in consultation with Indigenous partners; Making space for learning by integrating Indigenous food stories, history and truth, and voices into your programs.

Reconciliation in school food isn’t just about serving bannock once a year. It’s about long-term responsibility, active listening, and making space for how we feed and educate young people.

Please visit our Indigenous Foodways website for stories, tools and other resources relating to school food programs in Indigenous communities.

Let’s nourish more than bodies, let’s nourish truth, culture, and connection.