Decolonizing Research Symposium

July 25, 2025

The Decolonizing Research Symposium was held May 13-15, 2025 bringing together students and researchers part of the Northern Sustainable Food Systems Research Group, the Future Harvest Partnership and the LCSFS.

Day 1 focused on introductions to one another and project overivew. Training sessions focused on Knowledge Mobilization for and about Indigenous communities, and a session on non-violent communication. 

Day 2 was a deeper dive into northern projects with First Nations communities, starting with a training faciliated by the Centre for Indigeogy. During the afternoon participants learned about governance in the Northwest Territories and the impacts of agriculture as a tool for colonization. 

Day 3 provided participants with an understanding health and safety policies while in the field and a panel discussion on practical considerations when working in community. The day finished with a summer work planning session.

Over the course of the 3 days students had the opportunity to present their research in a lightning talk. Presentations included:

• Jane Marriotti - Characterizing soil fertility to support expanding agroecosystems within Denendeh, Northwest Territories
• Jen Temmer - Relationships, cultural continuity, and food security: Contributions of Ka’a’gee Tu First Nation to the regional food system in Denendeh
• Sanaa Hussain - Mapping Diabetes Pathways: Understanding Care Provision Paths and Management Practices for Women Living with Diabetes in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Northwest Territories
• David Gillespie - How retailers could steal the NNC subsidy... if they wanted to
• Calin Lazarescu - Bridging Top-Down Policy and Bottom-Up Community Initiatives Toward Sustainable Food Sytems in the NWT
• Carla Johnston - Living with the Land into the Future: Using Global Agroecology Frameworks to Adapt Food Systems to Climate Change with Sambaa K’e First Nation & Ka’a’gee Tu First Nation
• Jie-Soo Park - RoWing to Food Sovereignty: Building Inclusive Systems Analysis through Community Consultation 
• Narayan Subramoniam - Community-driven changes for the story of the store in Sambaa K'e, Northwest Territories 
• Danielle Bayne - Youth Perspectives on Developing a Sustainable Food Future in Sambaa K’e First Nation, NWT
• Danielle Humphrey - Assessing Water Level Variability and Climate Adaptation in Kakisa, NWT
• Susan Ombwori - Mapping Climate Risks, Strengthening Resilience: A Participatory Approach to Harvester Safety in Kakisa, NWT