Background

After signing Treaty, many Plains Indigenous Peoples were very successful farmers because of an intimate relationship with the land, water and sky that survives to this day. However, farming was not sustained in many Indigenous communities, including Mistawasis Nêhiyawak and Muskeg Lake Cree Nation.

As the only Indigenous-led Living Lab in Canada, the Bridge to Land Water Sky will have a focus on identifying barriers Indigenous people face when entering the Agricultural Industry. Most importantly, it will celebrate Indigenous knowledge as a key factor in building a more innovative and climate-resilient agricultural industry with global impacts.

Our Goals

1. Improve land management strategies for the mitigation of GHG emissions and improve carbon sequestration. We will test beneficial practices for revitalization and improvement of our land and soils.
2. Increase food security and sovereignty in Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities to benefit local food production and medicinal and traditional plants for Indigenous communities.
3. Protect biodiversity and water to support healthy ecosystems, people, and environmental co-benefits, including soil health, riparian and wetland buffers, and species at risk (flora, fauna).
4. Create employment and learning opportunities for youth and communities throughout the region, including out-of-classroom learning opportunities, community engagement, practical experiences, mentorships, internships, and relationship-building opportunities.
5. Reimagining Indigenous landowner and producer relationships to strengthen partnerships and mutually beneficial economic and environmental outcomes.