The Community Agroecological Values Framework: Connecting the Community Capitals and Agroecology to Advance Northern Food System Transformation in Kakisa, Northwest Territories, Canada

Jennifer Temmer¹Andrew Spring^1*Ruby Simba²Lloyd Chicot²

• ¹Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada
• ²Ka'a'gee Tu First Nation, Kakisa, Canada

For Indigenous communities in northern Canada, traditional food systems, which are integral to cultural continuity, sustainable livelihoods, and food security, are threatened by climate change, rising costs, and increasing reliance on purchased foods. At the same time, climate change provides opportunities to diversify through small-scale food production. Such initiatives can enhance food security and self-sufficiency but require tools that integrate Indigenous values and systems thinking to plan food system transformation. This research introduces the Community Agroecological Values Framework (CAVF) as a novel model for describing local food systems and driving change in northern regions of Canada by prioritizing Indigenous values in community-led planning. Undertaken in collaboration with the Ka'a'gee Tu First Nation, (KTFN), this research utilizes participatory action research uses qualitative methods to describe the current state of the community's food system and outline a future vision and path to achieving community defined food system goals . to promote shared decision-making and enhance community capacity to drive food systems change. By examining the synergies between the Community Capitals Framework and Northern Agroecology and through community conversations on how to incorporate Dene values into food system activities, we suggest a novel, harmonized framework, the Community Agroecological Values Framework. This framework functions as a strategic tool for food systems planning that can, empowering northern Indigenous communities by centering Traditional Knowledge and cultural values including land stewardship, reciprocal relationships, collective betterment, food sovereignty, self-determination, and intergenerational knowledge sharing in the design and implementation of more resilient and self-sufficient food systems.