Why this First Nations group is buying wholesale beef from a northern Ontario farm
Treaty 3 Investment Group says its beef operation encourages food sovereignty
A new partnership between a First Nations group and a northern Ontario farm aims to improve food access in Treaty 3 territory.
The Treaty 3 Investment Group (T3IG) celebrated the first delivery of wholesale beef to Animakee Wa Zhing #37 last week as part of its new beef operation.
The group is purchasing cows from Penokean Hills Farms in Echo Bay Township near Sault Ste. Marie. The cows are raised and butchered at the farm before the beef is shipped to Grand Council Treaty 3's office in Kenora. From there, it's distributed to communities across the region.
Gary Allen, chief executive officer for T3IG, said the long-term goal is for everything to be done within Treaty 3 territory.
"We want to be able to raise the cattle in Treaty 3, bring them to an abattoir within Treaty 3 and then be part of that whole distribution system as well," Allen said.
In the meantime, the farm "is really providing that knowledge and that capacity already through what they're doing, and transferring that over to us to support us to be able to have the whole operation located in the territory."
There are 28 First Nations in Treaty 3, spanning from west of Thunder Bay to north of Sioux Lookout, along the international border, to Manitoba. About 25,000 people live in the territory.
Through the partnership, communities must place a minimum order of half a cow. Whole cows are $9 per pound, with one cow averaging 800 pounds.
The goal is to make high-quality beef more accessible and affordable while helping people better understand where their food comes from, said Hailey Krolyk, senior strategy and innovation manager at Grand Council Treaty 3's economic unit.
"You really lose your connection to food when you're just going to a grocery store," Krolyk said.
"Being able to be part of the whole process that we're speaking to, that creates more of a sense of ownership … it also helps to create healthier options, too, for food."
Building capacity, opportunities for growth
Part of T3IG's mandate is to explore ways to improve food sovereignty, said Allen. While a lot of work has been done around community gardens, he said, the group felt getting directly involved in the supply chain would be an effective way to make a difference.
"In the long run, we will be looking at other opportunities, not just in beef, but looking at the whole [food] sovereignty within our communities," Allen said.
He said the partnership also brings opportunities for economic reconciliation. For example, communities could look at investing in butcher shops nearby or encourage members to apply for jobs in trucking, training and marketing.
"It is about a partnership with our communities and building that capacity with communities in terms of economic opportunities, but then also creating those education opportunities for our citizens to understand what food sovereignty is all about," Allen said.
In a similar effort to improve food security and sovereignty, Marten Falls First Nation acquired bulk food distribution company Cav Tal Foods Ltd. earlier this year. The move builds on the community's purchase of Bay Meats LP in 2023.
"It means taking control of our situation, actually providing food security to the community. That's a big reason why we want to get into further business with the food supply, because we know what it's like to not have food in the community," said Marten Falls Chief Bruce Achneepineskum in an interview with CBC News in February.
"It opens many doors in terms of getting that business experience for our team, our members, our First Nation. We want to eventually expand our business to the greater region, maybe all of Ontario."
Breaking down barriers
While he's excited about the feedback received so far, Allen said it was challenging to get the beef operation project off the ground.
"I think there needs to be more work there in terms of our partnerships with business and then also with government to get these businesses started.
"I think there has to be another call in terms of understanding that and breaking down those barriers, especially for First Nation communities."
First Nations interested in placing an order can contact amanda.belanger@treaty3.ca.
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