The meeting coordinated by Rimisp, with the support of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada, brought together 13 representatives of 10 indigenous peoples and nations from Canada to the Peruvian Amazon, who reflected on the challenges and opportunities for strengthening resilient, sustainable and inclusive food systems in their territories. Delegates from the Asháninka, Aymara, Kayambi, Cree, Inuit, Náhuatl, Maya Q’eqchi’, Métis, Misak and Wolastoquey peoples shared their experiences and knowledge.

Rodrigo Yáñez, director of Rimisp’s Chile office, noted that “the meeting was very enriching, bringing together an impressive diversity of genres, languages and visions. For the first time, we achieved a dialogue between indigenous communities from Canada and Latin America on food systems, and they connected very well with each other. ”.

CULTURES, FOOD AND THE FUTURE OF THE AMERICAS

‘Harvesting Stories from the Americas’ is a podcast that allows you to listen to the reflections and lessons learned at the Meeting held in May 2024 in Ecuador. Each episode addresses a key theme:

Episode 1 – The Cultures of the Americas: A dialogue on indigenous peoples’ food systems and their relevance for sustainability, where their representatives highlighted the importance of belonging to their communities, valuing their culture and food traditions, in the face of globalisation and climate change processes.

“It is important that we work together, indigenous and non-indigenous, because I really believe that the strength of both is when they come together. Helping each other to walk together on the right path ” Shanon Udy – Métis People (Canada)

Episode 2 – What do we eat in the Americas?: Local stories and experiences about their different forms of traditional food, the loss of biodiversity and uncertainties about their food sovereignty.

“Indigenous people were the first food developers in the world. Today we only represent 7% or 8% of the world’s population, but we represent 80% of the knowledge of biodiversity, so our participation is essential ” Priscila Sette – Cree People (Canada)

Episode 3 – The future of the Americas: Speaks of a vision of collaboration between peoples to transform food systems and ensure the well-being of their communities, and of their hopes for the future of the next generations who will inherit their territories and knowledge.

“That the soil and the territories remain healthy, or are as healthy as the societies that live in them” Eleodoro Baldiviezo – Aymara (Bolivia)