“Growing” a sustainable community: Health, food, and development at the Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation

Authors

  • Irene Altiman

Abstract

How can a First Nation community become sustainable and not be primarily reliant on government financing and services?  Economic development is one major tool towards this sustainability. The small community of Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation (AOK), located on Manitoulin Island, has the opportunity to become the top producer and supplier of organic produce in Northern Ontario. This paper explores local CSA, food cooperative, greenhouse, and aquaponics operations as means to reach this goal.

Keywords: First Nations, sustainability, agriculture, food, healthy communities

Author Biography

Irene Altiman

Irene Altiman is a member of the Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation, a newly elected Band Councillor, and the Regional Initiatives Coordinator for the Waubetek Business Development Corporation.

Food and health are important topics to Irene. She suffered a heart attack at age 38, which caused her to rethink her former unhealthy lifestyle. Thanks to a vegan diet, regular exercise, and smoke-free living, she is now 50 pounds lighter and less dependent on medication.

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Published

2017-02-06

Issue

Vol. 16

Section

Articles