At Food Cycle Science, we are grateful to collaborate with Indigenous communities to promote sustainability and environmental stewardship. Over the past few years, we’ve proudly collaborated with Akwesasne, Sagamok, Wahnapitae, and Shawanaga First Nations. These communities have been invaluable in co-developing innovative food waste solutions that respect and align with each community's unique needs and values.
These programs not only address lack of access to organic waste management but also provide climate change-adaptive solutions that enhance community resilience. By working together, we aim to support Indigenous-led initiatives that combine traditional knowledge with modern technology, fostering sustainable practices that benefit both the communities and the environment.
Addressing the Challenge of Organics Waste Management
Many Indigenous communities face unique challenges in waste management, particularly regarding organic materials. These challenges often stem from historical inequities and geographical factors. For example, Akwesasne is a unique Mohawk community that sits between Ontario (ON), Quebec (QC) and New York (NY). It is divided by multiple political boundaries, making governance and jurisdiction complex. The community is officially called the Mohawk Nation of Akwesasne, and its lands are separated further by the St. Lawrence River. This unique geography makes waste management highly complicated due to multiple overlapping jurisdictions, customs regulations, and infrastructure challenges. The FoodCycler program offers a potential solution that aligns with traditional values of environmental stewardship and resource conservation.
A FoodCycler program aligns with Indigenous values by reducing waste, respecting the land and supporting food sovereignty. It transforms food scraps into nutrient-rich soil amendment, reinforcing traditional sustainability practices while addressing waste management challenges like landfill dependency and wildlife concerns. The program enhances community resilience, local food production, and environmental stewardship, making it culturally and practically beneficial solution. By pre-processing food waste, the program aims to reduce the amount of organic waste sent to landfills, addressing both environmental concerns and community needs. Importantly, this approach respects the autonomy of Indigenous communities, offering a tool that can be adapted to local practices and preferences, rather than imposing external solutions.
A Circular Economy Approach
Through a combination of community-led funding and support from Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), we have successfully implemented the FoodCycler program in various communities across Ontario. These programs embody the principals of a circular economy, aligning with traditional Indigenous values of environmental stewardship and resource conservation., where the by-product of food waste processing can be utilized both at the individual household level or collectively for community gardens. This approach creates a sustainable loop, where waste is transformed into a valuable resource, enriching the land and contributing to local food production. By ensuring we respect traditions and combining it with innovative technology, these programs not only address waste management challenges but also promote food sovereignty and community resilience.
"I’m excited to see the benefits for my garden in the spring... It takes a little time to make a big difference for Mother Earth." says a Sagamok Resident when asked about their experience with the FoodCycler program.
Advancing Indigenous Rights and UN Sustainable Development Goals
Our collaboration with Indigenous communities aligns closely with the principles outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and supports several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
UNDRIP emphasizes Indigenous peoples' rights to maintain and strengthen their relationship with traditionally owned lands and resources (Article 25), as well as their right to conservation and protection of the environment (Article 29). The FoodCycler program embodies these principles by promoting sustainable waste management practices that respect Indigenous environmental stewardship. Furthermore, this initiative contributes to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action) by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from organic waste and promoting circular economy practices. By empowering communities with tools that enhance local food security and strengthen resilience to environmental changes, we're supporting Indigenous-led climate action that combines traditional knowledge with innovative solutions, fostering a more sustainable and resilient future for all.
Our work with Indigenous communities goes beyond just waste management - it’s about empowering these communities with tools that build climate resilience. The FoodCycler program aligns with global efforts to mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from decomposing organic waste.
Education and Community Engagement
The success of these programs extends into education, where we've collaborated with schools and daycares in Indigenous communities to support their efforts in teaching the next generation about sustainability and environmental stewardship. By integrating the FoodCycler into educational programs, we aim to inspire children and families to become active participants in the fight against climate change, reinforcing the importance of protecting the environment for future generations.