Relationship Development and Engagement with the University of the Arctic Thematic Network on Local-Scale Planning, Climate Change and Resilience

This pilot program was successfully completed from November 2023 – June 2024.

This project supported relationship development, consultation, and engagement actions/activities with the University of the Arctic. It focused on exploring participatory arts-based food security, northern supply chain research, and entrepreneurship training/mentorship opportunities. We aimed to engage the UArctic Thematic Network on Local-Scale Planning, Climate Change, and Resilience.

In 2023, the project was approved for funding from the Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Program – Indigenous Agriculture and Food Systems program with Manitoba Agriculture. In April 2024, project activities were also supported with funding from the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada Indigenous Intellectual Property Protection Program.

Incubating Community Engagement and Regional Relationship Development

Community engagement began in July 2023 and continued thereafter. Using prior participatory and co-designed approaches, the team consulted and engaged experts, including Highly Qualified Personnel from university entrepreneurship, economics, and supply chain management programs, graduate students in economics, technology entrepreneurs, northern community researchers, MB Agriculture staff, and policy specialists. In-depth meetings, round table group discussions, and informal consultation sessions were employed to gather insights and perspectives, maximizing planning design and development to ensure goals and outcomes were realistic, achievable, and aligned with Nutrition North Canada social programming components.

As a developmental initiative, the project strengthened collaborative networks between academic researchers, non-profit organizations, Indigenous-owned businesses, emerging youth food sector entrepreneurs, and community-based research projects based in Winnipeg, Manitoba and Minneapolis, Minnesota. It also informed long-term planning to scale up from its original pilot activities towards a framework for regional food security and cultural entrepreneurship programming.

Working with the Art Borups Corners collective, this exciting project studied the impact of mentorship programs that paired experienced Nutrition North Canada and Manitoba food sector entrepreneurs with urban and newly-urban Indigenous youth. This focus and the resulting insights helped youth gain valuable skills and knowledge in entrepreneurship and the food sector, while addressing issues of northern food insecurity. 

The project supported the establishment of a supportive network, connecting participants with mentors and expert researchers (HQPs) in the agriculture and food security sectors, creating enhanced opportunities for knowledge sharing and skill development. Information gained from these consultation and engagement activities was used to assess the effectiveness of entrepreneurship training programs tailored to the unique needs of Northern Indigenous communities, with involvement from Nutrition North Canada suppliers. It identified areas where regulatory changes or policy support could be enhanced. 

The project also advanced economic reconciliation, particularly in the context of Indigenous youth and community participation in agriculture and agri-food-related sectoral development, training, and research creation. It created opportunities for economic empowerment and addressed historical economic disparities through the co-creation of food sector entrepreneurship and community-based, participatory research opportunities.

The team did an amazing job presenting at the 2024 Arctic Congress in Bodø, Norway. Presentations and relationship development took place between the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, University of Victoria, University of Minnesota Duluth Labovitz School of Business and Economics, and the University of the Arctic Thematic Network on Local-Scale Planning, Climate Change, and Resilience.