Indigenous Food systems and Health Symposium

The Symposium on Indigenous Food Systems and Health is a two-day event hosted by the Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences at the University of Manitoba. Bringing together students, researchers, healthcare providers, and community members, the event creates a dedicated space to explore the vital connections between Indigenous food systems, nutrition, health, land, and community wellbeing.

The event opens on June 11 with a series of student-focused workshops designed to offer hands-on opportunities for learning, skill-building, and community engagement. On June 12, the symposium brings participants together for a focused half-day program featuring presentations and rich interdisciplinary dialogue spanning nutrition, health sciences, agriculture, food science, and related fields.

The symposium embraces a wide range of perspectives and contributions, recognizing that meaningful engagement with Indigenous food systems draws on academic research, community-based knowledge, land-based practice, and lived experience alike. Participants from all backgrounds — students, faculty, researchers, healthcare professionals, and community organizations — are warmly welcomed to be part of this important conversation.

We look forward to coming together in a spirit of learning, relationship-building, and respectful dialogue, and to collectively deepening our understanding of how Indigenous food systems shape and sustain health, identity, and community wellbeing.

Directory

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Design Inspiration & Meaning

IFHS Logo

The Story Behind the Visual Identity

Jordan Stranger is a Winnipeg-based Anishinaabe artist and graphic designer from Peguis First Nation. In creating a design for the inaugural Indigenous Food Systems and Health Symposium, the concepts of gratitude, interconnectedness, reciprocity, and community were emphasized. Stranger describes the design as follows, “It shows Mother Earth dancing in regalia providing food to the people below also dancing in regalia with the turtle island story included with love at the center. The four-legged animals are represented by Moose horns, Deer horns, and Buffalo horns. The water animals are represented with the Fish. The berries from left to right are Raspberry, Saskatoon Berry, Blueberry and Strawberry. The Wigwam and Tipi are supported by trees with water and wind above flowing down and the great roots of the growth below it all.” We are grateful for his vision and dedication in creating the design and encourage all attendees to further explore and support his work

Registration & attendance options

The symposium offers flexible registration options to suit your schedule and needs. You may register for one day or both.

June 11 – Workshop Day (In-Person Only) An interactive, hands-on day of student-focused workshops exploring Indigenous food systems and community wellbeing. Refreshments will be provided throughout the day.

June 12 – Symposium Day (In-Person or Online) A focused half-day of presentations and interdisciplinary discussions spanning nutrition, health sciences, agriculture, food science, and related fields. In-person attendees will enjoy lunch and coffee throughout the event.

Two-Day Registration Join us for the full experience — register for both June 11 and June 12 at a bundled rate.

Early Bird Pricing Save 15% by registering early! Early bird pricing is available for a limited time — secure your spot before the deadline.

Registration Deadline: Registration closes on June 4, 2025. We encourage you to register early to secure your spot.