https://scholars.wlu.ca/etd/2829

Northern Indigenous communities face disproportionate impacts from interconnected challenges related to climate change, food security, health, and cultural preservation, that threaten traditional food systems and practices. While there is a growing recognition of the importance of community-driven solutions, existing frameworks fail to integrate Indigenous values and local priorities effectively. This research addresses this gap by exploring how the Ka’a’gee Tu First Nation (KTFN) is responding to these crises through climate change adaptation efforts focused on food system sustainability as a pathway to self-sufficiency and community well-being. To contribute to these efforts, this dissertation uses Participatory Action Research to facilitate community-driven planning and action intended to improve access to healthy foods, foster knowledge-sharing, create employment opportunities, and encourage engagement in local food governance. This research introduces a novel framework, the Community Agroecological Values Framework (CAVF), which integrates the Community Capitals Framework and Agroecology to prioritize Dene values in the planning process. I characterize Kakisa’s food system, map traditional food-sharing networks, and identify critical resources and synergies to strengthen community and regional food systems. Findings highlight the contributions of Kakisa’s traditional food-sharing networks in supporting food sovereignty, cultural preservation, and social cohesion, while identifying barriers such as resource limitations and governance misalignments. This work provides recommendations for fostering sustainable food systems in northern communities by integrating traditional and modern practices, regional collaboration, and systemic change. Future research should focus on enhancing governance structures, strategies for building local capacity, and fostering regional partnerships to ensure long-term viability.

NOTE: The full-text of this Thesis/Dissertation is currently under embargo. It will be available for download on Sunday, March 01, 2026.