“We Need to Live off the Land”: An Exploration and Conceptualization of Community-Based Indigenous Food Sovereignty Experiences and Practices

This qualitative study explored Indigenous food sovereignty (IFS) experiences and practices within a First Nation community on Vancouver Island, Canada. The research aimed to understand current IFS efforts and identify barriers and facilitators. The study employed a community-based participatory research (CBPR) framework and Indigenous methodologies, specifically 'two-eyed seeing,' which integrates Indigenous and Western ways of knowing. Data were collected through a single sharing circle with three community members (all women, two Elders) involved in food projects, lasting approximately three hours. The analysis used reflexive thematic analysis.

Key results identified interconnected themes: Indigenous Knowledge (IK) and community support were central motivators for IFS efforts, such as community gardens, workshops, and traditional harvesting. Facilitators included a strong relationship with the land and waters, sustainable traditional practices, and community participation. A major barrier was environmental concern, particularly climate change and development (e.g., forestry, urban expansion), which participants reported is reducing access to traditional food sources and altering ecosystems. The findings are presented in a cyclical thematic model.

Limitations include the small sample size (n=3), the focus on women's roles only, and the lack of generalizability to the wider community or other Indigenous groups. The study did not examine political or treaty impacts. Implications suggest that sustained community engagement, funding for food programs, and conservation efforts are needed to support IFS. The research provides a framework for understanding community-level IFS and highlights the importance of Indigenous voices in documenting food sovereignty efforts.