To connect with First Nations people of North America to learn from their experiences with Manoomin

As perennial superfoods that can be grown and harvested at scale, native grains are an untapped opportunity. The Gamilaraay people, who once maintained vast fields of native grains, are collectivising to seize this opportunity and activate the native grains industry to drive economic development and self-governance. However, Colonisation has dismantled our foodways and left systemic barriers in our way, so we look abroad for guidance. In North America, the Indigenous food sovereignty movement has been maturing for the last 30 years. As a Gamilaraay man dedicated to revitalising our native grains industry, I was inspired by the work being led by Indigenous peoples in North America, particularly within the Manoomin (wild rice) industry. I secured a Churchill Fellowship with the aim of the learning how we might replicate the successes of Indigenous North American’s and put our native grains industry on a similar transformative trajectory.

While the Indigenous peoples of North America are operating from a diverse range of historical and contemporary contexts, there were some key themes that kept resonating. Firstly, the key to success in developing a food system within an Indigenous paradigm is strong, strategic, sustainable, purpose-driven, Indigenous-led governance. Secondly, Indigenous peoples are prioritising healthy and happy communities over profit. They are vertically integrating their most important traditional foods across their communities to increase local food security; reverse the prevalence of diet-related non-communicable disease; empower their communities; improve economic opportunities; and revitalise their cultural heritage. These Indigenous-led models are having unprecedented positive impacts and enabling Indigenous nations to drive broader societal and environmental change.

Based on what was learnt in North America, the critical priority in Australia is establishing strong, strategic, purpose-driven, Gamilaraay-led governance of the native grains industry. This industry body can speak only for Gamilaraay aspiration in the native grains space and serve as a model for other nations to replicate. Activating this governing body will require dedicated funding, strategic planning, legal supports, and collaborative partnerships with relevant industry stakeholders. Systemic changes will be required from the government to enable broader activation of Indigenous food sovereignty initiatives, including activating existing Indigenous owned land assets, and funding systems change projects. Research institutions need to work with Indigenous leadership rather than continuing the colonial practice of Indigenous erasure. Philanthropy may be the biggest enabler of this work, but philanthropists must be savvy about who and what they are funding. With the right supports, the native grains industry can be a showcase of a food system that is built on the principles of reciprocity, relationality, respect and responsibility – a values-based system that benefits the lives of all people.