On Nov. 12, 2025, the Laurier Library EDI Committee hosted “Artistic Forms of Storytelling,” an event held in partnership with the Office of Indigenous Initiatives and the Robert Langen Art Gallery, with additional support from Faculty Relations. During the panel, guest speaker Destiny Moser, an Indigenous Food Advocate and Educator, highlighted a critical systemic issue regarding Indigenous food histories.
Many consumers today struggle to understand where their food comes from, and tracing the procurement and processing of ingredients is a conscious choice they make. However, for many Indigenous communities, this challenge transcends consumer awareness; it is a profound issue of culture, history, and identity.
Moser said, “The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) defines ‘traditional meats’ as beef, pork, poultry, and lamb. Anything outside those categories falls into separate regulations, often labeled ‘game’ or ‘exotic meats.’ Ironically, cows, pigs, lambs, and chickens are technically exotic to Canada. Because many Indigenous foods are categorized as ‘exotic’ or ‘game,’ abattoirs and processors must obtain special permits to handle these species and ingredients. This adds significant costs and restricts the supply chain. Various Fish and Wildlife or Game Acts prevent these Indigenous ingredients from being integrated into the ‘domestic livestock’ category because of these definitions, even when the animals are farmed.”
These regulations also confine Indigenous foods to reserves where resources like water are limited, leading to the loss of many food sources. As there are not many Indigenous farmers and landowners, cultivating these foods is often done with the help of allies. However, this leads to a loss of food sovereignty among many Indigenous communities today, including many urban Indigenous peoples who cannot access these foods in local markets.
Moser highlighted this issue with the example of the Haudenosaunee people, who are native to areas around New York State but were moved to the Six Nations in Ontario with the Anishinaabe. Because Indigenous food is hyper-local and ultra-seasonal, this led to a loss of access to many native plants and local food cultures. Additionally, because of these restrictions, immigrants and settlers are unable to access and assimilate into food cultures native to the land, leading to European foods dominating and representing Canadian food history, thereby erasing Indigenous food cultures over time—especially among Indigenous peoples.
So, how do we solve this issue and rejuvenate Indigenous food cultures?
Moser said, “The first step to that is learning how to cook and buy ingredients that are hyper-local and ultra-seasonal and avoid processed foods. Secondly, if you are willing, go to local markets and ask for more of these Indigenous ingredients, such as Juniper, Canadian Sumac, or meats like venison. This would create demand among local stores, making these ingredients more accessible. However, this also involves learning how to cook with these ingredients, which might not be feasible for all. This is why it is essential to fight some of these legislations as well. While these legislations have made things even harder in recent times, involving more licenses for procurement and processing, especially of meats, bringing this under reconciliation and creating more awareness is essential.”
She concluded by recommending several resources, including documentaries like Kiss the Ground, Gather, and Tea Creek, and recipe books such as Turtle Island: Foods and Traditions of the Indigenous Peoples of North America and The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen.
Destiny Moser’s insights reveal that the barriers to Indigenous food sovereignty are deeply embedded in Canada’s regulatory and historical landscape. However, through intentional consumer choices, community education, and policy advocacy framed within the context of reconciliation, we preserve and rejuvenate Indigenous food systems. Supporting hyper-local markets and challenging restrictive laws are essential steps toward restoring identity and justice for Indigenous communities.
Contributed Graphic/Santosh Chandrasekar/Social Media Editor
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