This scoping review explores Indigenous food sovereignty (IFS) from an Indigenous perspective as a decolonizing framework, grounded in the cultural, spiritual, and ecological values of Indigenous communities. IFS integrates self-determination, cultural continuity, and ecological stewardship, offering a holistic approach for Indigenous communities to reclaim control over their food systems. By synthesizing existing literature, this review identifies core principles of IFS, including community governance, the revitalization of traditional practices, and respectful relationships with the environment. Examples from the literature highlight consistent themes across diverse Indigenous contexts, such as community gardens, traditional hunting and gathering, and intergenerational knowledge sharing. These practices illustrate Indigenous communities' adaptation of food sovereignty principles to contemporary challenges, fostering cultural renewal, environmental sustainability, and community resilience. Additionally, this article reviews tools for assessing food sovereignty, addressing challenges in applying these tools across varied settings, and their potential to support decolonizing efforts. The findings underscore the need for policy advocacy and the recognition and support of Indigenous rights, including land restoration, the protection of traditional knowledge, and resources for sustainable food production. This work contributes to the broader discourse on Indigenous knowledge, cultural preservation, and food security, promoting a more inclusive and sustainable global food system.

INTRODUCTION:Engagement of Indigenous science (Indigenous research, knowledges, and processes) is increasingly recognized within institutions of higher learning, funding bodies, and publication outlets. Respectful and authentic support for Indigenous science requires transformations of Western, colonial-grounded knowledge and knowledge processes, bodies, and institutions to meaningfully and appropriately include Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing. OBJECTIVE:The objective of this study was to identify fundamental changes required to support Indigenous science within Western, colonial-grounded academic institutions focusing on "Identity and Colonial Institutions". METHODS:In 2019, a three-day gathering of 18 Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers and trainees, Elder/knowledge helper/knowledge keepers, and community members was held in Treaty 1 territory and birthplace of the Métis Nation. Through talking circles, participants shared their experiences working with Indigenous communities on projects involving Indigenous knowledges. RESULTS:Thematic analysis drew meaning from the talking circles, identifying four main themes: 1) Building Bridges; 2) Institutional Practice; 3) Original Knowledges; and 4) Multifaceted Identity. Focusing on "Identity and Colonial Institutions" stemming from these themes, recommendations for supporting Indigenous science were identified around four central actions: 1) Embedding respectful and authentic support; 2) Acceptance, endorsement, incorporation, and education among the broader research community; 3) Prioritizing and valuing Indigenous research, knowledges, processes, and contributions; and 4) Privileging of multiple worldviews. CONCLUSIONS:Institutions, funding agencies, journals, and all individuals, organizations, and entities involved in research are encouraged to enact these recommendations and take action to support Indigenous science.

This article explores the evolving field of Indigenous health promotion, highlighting the use and endorsement of conventional health promotion models despite ongoing efforts toward decolonization. Although some Indigenous-led initiatives exist, such as the Kahnawà:ke Schools Diabetes Prevention Program (KSDPP), deeply entrenched funding models perpetuate dependency on colonial governments, marginalizing traditional knowledge and leadership within Indigenous community health systems. Drawing on community-engaged and participatory research, this study explored the potential of community mobilization to decolonize health promotion in Indigenous communities. The study, conducted during the delivery of KSDPP Community Mobilization Training sessions, explored diverse First Nations community member perspectives on culturally grounded health promotion: what it looks like and how it is implemented. Utilizing talking circles, the study identifies four core knowledge translation processes that illuminate both the nature and practical implementation of culturally grounded health promotion. These processes were grouped as experiential education, social-collaborative, adaptive, and personal cultural healing. The findings underscore the urgent need to recognize and support the ongoing shift toward Indigenous-led health promotion interventions grounded in culture and to challenge the continued reliance on Western health promotion frameworks in Indigenous settings.

created the Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research (NEIHR). This paper presents the Quebec NEIHR to provide a re- flexive account of the first 5 years. The Tahatikonhsontontie' Quebec Network Environment for Indigenous Health Research (QcNEIHR) is driven by, and grounded in, Indigenous communities in Quebec. Using implementation analysis as a methodology, the QcNEIHR evaluator used documents, participant observations and interviews to compare the proposed QcNEIHR grant plan with what the QcNEIHR actualized. The co-authors, members of the Operations Circle (OC), provided additional information and interpretations as the manuscript was being written. The QcNEIHR governance circles were invited to approve the presentation of results. Through this analysis we found that QcNEIHR activities aligned with three of four objectives in the initial research proposal. The Operations Circle of the QcNEIHR successfully navigated through several competing interests, listed here: 1) finding a balance between consulting and taking concrete actions, 2) being inclusive while prioritizing a few targeted activities, 3) administering institutional research funds within an Indigenous community-based organization, 4) maintaining an efficient bilingual governance structure with diverse conceptualizations of health and research, 5) managing an organic Operations Circle for innovation and creativity while assuring accountability and timely deliverables. During the first five years of operation, the strategy of the QcNEIHR OC was based upon building relationships and mobilizing a diverse lively network. This strategy sets the foundation for community-shared ownership and leadership for the next iteration of the QcNEIHR, where community-driven Indigenous health research in Quebec will continue to strengthen and grow with the support of provincial and national research institutions. To better respond to the specific health research needs of Indigenous peoples in Canada, the Canadian Institute for Health Research (CIHR)

Background: Type 1 diabetes requires making numerous daily decisions to maintain normoglycemia. Support is an evidence based self-guided web application for type 1 diabetes diabetes self-management. Objective: Evaluate users' satisfaction with Support and investigate changes in self-reported frequency of-, fear of- hypoglycemia, and diabetes-related self-efficacy. Methods: Adults from a Quebec type 1 diabetes registry used Support. Data was collected through online surveys or extracted from the registry at 0, 6, and 12 months (number of episodes and fear of hypoglycemia). At 6 months, participants reported satisfaction with Support and diabetes-related self-efficacy. A sub-group of 16 users was interviewed about their experience. Transcripts were analyzed using inductive and deductive approaches. Results: In total, 207 accounts were created (35% men, 96% White, mean age and diabetes duration: 49.3 +/- 13.8 and 25.2 +/- 14.7 years). At 6 months, the median [Q1; Q3] satisfaction was 40/49 [35; 45] with a mean decrease in hypoglycemia frequency of 0.43 episodes over 3 days (95% CI: -0.86; 0.00, p=0.051) and of -1.98 score for fear (95% CI: -3.76; -0.20, p= 0.030). Half of the participants reported increased diabetes-related self-efficacy. Conclusions: Participants reported a high level of satisfaction with Support. Its use has the potential to facilitate hypoglycemia management and increase diabetes-related self-efficacy.

Background Type 1 diabetes requires making numerous daily decisions to maintain normoglycemia. Support is an evidence-based self-guided web application for type 1 diabetes diabetes self-management. Objective Evaluate users’ satisfaction with Support and investigate changes in self-reported frequency of-, fear of- hypoglycemia, and diabetes-related self-efficacy. Methods Adults from a Quebec type 1 diabetes registry used Support . Data was collected through online surveys or extracted from the registry at 0, 6, and 12 months (number of episodes and fear of hypoglycemia). At 6 months, participants reported satisfaction with Support and diabetes-related self-efficacy. A sub-group of 16 users was interviewed about their experience . Transcripts were analyzed using inductive and deductive approaches. Results In total, 207 accounts were created (35% men, 96% White, mean age and diabetes duration: 49.3 ± 13.8 and 25.2 ± 14.7 years). At 6 months, the median [Q1; Q3] satisfaction was 40/49 [35; 45] with a mean decrease in hypoglycemia frequency of 0.43 episodes over 3 days (95% CI: −0.86; 0.00, p = 0.051) and of −1.98 score for fear (95% CI: −3.76; −0.20, p = 0.030). Half of the participants reported increased diabetes-related self-efficacy. Conclusions Participants reported a high level of satisfaction with Support . Its use has the potential to facilitate hypoglycemia management and increase diabetes-related self-efficacy. Trial registration This study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04233138. Keywords Type 1 diabetes , self-management , e-health , user's experience , intervention evaluation , hypoglycemia

Indigenous peoples' active involvement in and ownership of research involving their communities are imperative to ensure that community values are prioritized and that research fosters self-determination of Indigenous health. To share our reflections about how concept mapping can be useful within the context of research with First Nations communities. Three First Nations communities participating in the Kahnawà:ke Schools Diabetes Prevention Project Community Mobilization Training (CMT) engaged in Concept Mapping (Kane & Trochim, 2007). Community Research Assistants provided testimonials about the process. The strengths of using concept mapping within this project align with the current literature that highlights it is very adaptable to Indigenous contexts, allows for high levels of engagement throughout the entire research process from design to dissemination, and thus strengthens ownership of the research project among community members. Concept mapping is relevant and useful for research with First Nations communities.

The Atikamekw Nehirowisiw Nation stands out for its strong culture and proactive policies and interventions to ensure the wellness and healing of members of three Nehirowisiw communities. As part of the Kahnawà:ke Schools Diabetes Prevention Project’s Community Mobilization Training study for promotion of healthy lifestyles, we explored perspectives of wellness among members of the Nehirowisiw community of Manawan. This participatory project involved youth, elders, and community intervention workers through an adaptation of the concept mapping methodology outlined by Kane and Trochim. A Photovoice activity followed by photo-elicited talking circles were used to brainstorm how wellness is manifested in the community. Brainstorming was conducted through talking circles for intervention workers and Elders. Over 800 statements about wellness were generated, and similar statements were combined to obtain a final set of 84 statements. Participants sorted the statements in thematic clusters and rated the priority (most important to address) and feasibility (most possible to address) levels of each statement. Statements ranked with high priority and high feasibility were considered strengths of the community. The Nehiromowin language, family relations, the available healing paths, connection to Nitaskinan — the territory — and environmental protection are the community's main strengths. Here we discuss these strengths, and the role they can play in helping the community face a variety of challenges. We present how the process of identifying community strengths can be used in the development of strategic mobilization plans for the promotion of wellness.

CONTEXT: The circumpolar region of Canada experiences high rates of food insecurity due to the harsh climate and terrain and limited infrastructural capacity restricting local production and environmental changes impacting traditional food systems. As such, the region heavily relies on imported commodities which are expensive and of low nutritional quality. Agricultural development has the potential to mitigate circumpolar food insecurity and is underway to various degrees throughout the region, forming a complex and emerging agricultural system. OBJECTIVE: Using a rapid appraisal of agricultural innovation systems (RAAIS) approach, we studied the status of agricultural development across circumpolar Canada, e.g., Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Nunavik (Quebec) and Nunatsiavut (Newfoundland and Labrador). METHODS: Forty semi-structured interviews regarding constraints to agricultural development in circumpolar regions were conducted with stakeholders belonging to one or more of the following groups: farmers, government, private sector, non-governmental organizations and individuals in the fields of research and training. Constraints were labeled with a descriptive code, then sorted according to dimensions (biophysical, economic, institutional, political, sociocultural or technological) and structural conditions for innovation. The frequency of each constraint was calculated to determine the weight of constraints by subregion. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Constraints varied between subregions, indicating that innovations should be subregion-specific and co-developed with local communities to ensure their success and longevity. Circumpolar agriculture was found to be most greatly restricted by economic barriers such as limited capital cost recovery, community buy-in, high operating costs and funding options. Among the four structural conditions for inno-vation used in RAAIS, constraints were somewhat equally distributed between capabilities and resources, infrastructure and assets, and institutions. At the time the study was undertaken, interaction and collaborations were less restrictive to agricultural development. Suggested strategies for facilitating agricultural development included financial incentives, agricultural training programs, and infrastructure development. SIGNIFICANCE: To the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to apply AIS approaches to an emergent agri-cultural system and does so over a large and diverse region. The RAAIS approach effectively identified the numerous constraints to circumpolar agriculture, although the methodology did not account for the intercon-nectedness of constraints and resultant blocking mechanisms. Future research would benefit from combining AIS approaches with structural-functional analyses to mitigate these constraints and blocking mechanisms.

In response to the circumpolar region???s high levels of food insecurity, many Canadian communities have identified the development of local agriculture as a means to resolve the issue. Agricultural development is varied across the circumpolar region, an area which includes Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Nunavik (Quebec), and Nunatsiavut (Newfoundland and Labrador). This review explores the interregional differences in circumpolar agriculture, their historical development, and their relationship to prevailing biophysical, socioeconomic, and political conditions. Drawing upon local food strategies and literature pertaining to current agricultural initiatives, we discuss the future direction of circumpolar agriculture in Canada. Yukon and the Northwest Territories are the most agriculturally developed subregions of circumpolar Canada, and their territorial governments support the development of commercial agriculture. In Nunavut, Nunavik, and Nunatsiavut, relatively few agricultural initiatives are underway although local efforts have been made to establish community gardens or greenhouses and improve access to fresh commodities through subsidization of imported goods. Because of variability in biophysical, social, institutional, and political environments, strategies for food production would be most effective if tailored to each subregion. The continued development of agriculturally favorable policies and certified processing facilities in Yukon and the Northwest Territories could improve market access, both locally and out-of-territory. The eastern subregions (Nunavut, Nunavik, and Nunatsiavut) seem more inclined towards small, community-driven projects; these initiatives could be promoted to encourage community involvement for their long-term sustainability. Most studies on circumpolar agriculture have focused on the biophysical and social challenges; the region would benefit from additional research into the institutional and political barriers to agricultural development.

There is increasing recognition that culturally-based diabetes prevention programs can facilitate the adoption and maintenance of healthy behaviours in the communities in which they are implemented. The Kahnawake School Diabetes Prevention Project (KSDPP) is a health promotion, community-based participatory research project aiming to reduce the incidence of Type 2 diabetes in the community of Kahnawake (Mohawk territory, Canada), with a large range of interventions integrating a Haudenosaunee perspective of health. Building on a qualitative, naturalistic and interpretative inquiry, this study aimed to assess the outcomes of a suite of culturally-based interventions on participants' life and experience of health. Data were collected through semi-structured qualitative interviews of 1 key informant and 17 adult, female Kahnawake community members who participated in KSDPP's suite of interventions from 2007 to 2010. Grounded theory was chosen as an analytical strategy. A theoretical framework that covered the experiences of all study participants was developed from the grounded theory analysis. KSDPP's suite of interventions provided opportunities for participants to experience five different change processes: (i) Learning traditional cooking and healthy eating; (ii) Learning physical activity; (iii) Learning mind focusing and breathing techniques; (iv) Learning cultural traditions and spirituality; (v) Socializing and interacting with other participants during activities. These processes improved participants' health in four aspects: mental, physical, spiritual and social. Results of this study show how culturally-based health promotion can bring about healthy changes addressing the mental, physical, spiritual and social dimensions of a holistic concept of health, relevant to the Indigenous perspective of well-being.

This pilot study examined the influence of cultural immersion on willingness to try fruits and vegetables (FV) among children 3-12 years old in three summer camps in Guam with different cultural exposure levels: cultural immersion camp (CIC), high exposure; university day camp (UDC), moderate exposure; and recreational sports camp (RSC), zero exposure. Children, ages 3-12 years old for CIC and UDC and 5-12 years old for RSC, participated: CIC (n = 47), UDC (n = 23), and RSC (n = 33). Children's willingness to try FV was assessed with the Adapted WillTry tool before and after each program. Whole FV intakes were assessed concurrently using the mobile food record in CIC and UDC. Using multivariate regression, WillTry post-assessment outcomes were modeled adjusting for pre-assessment, child characteristics, exposure, and parent cultural affiliation. Unique to the Adapted WillTry tool are three FV scales, local novel, local common, and imported, which are classified by source (local or imported) and/or familiarity (novel or common). WillTry adjusted mean FV post-scores by highest exposure camp to lowest were 2.2, 2.3, and 2.2 for local novel and 2.6, 2.6, and 2.6 for local common. No differences among camps were significant; however, there was an increase in the willingness to try scores for all FV score types and camps. The Traditions pilot study demonstrated: (1) feasibility of a multi-arm parallel design using existing community programs in limited-resource environments and (2) further examination of nutrition education components and contexts are needed to understand diet behaviors of indigenous populations.

Indigenous Peoples, especially women and children, are affected disproportionately by malnutrition and diet-related health problems. Addressing this requires an investigation of the structural conditions that underlie unequal access to resources and loss of traditional lifestyles and necessitates inclusive approaches that shed light onto these issues and provide strategies to leverage change. Indigenous Peoples' food systems are inextricably connected to land, which in turn is interwoven with issues of self-determination, livelihoods, health, cultural and spiritual heritage, and gender. Ongoing loss of land and the dominant agri-food model further threaten Indigenous Peoples' food systems. Continuing gender-based discrimination undermines the self-determination and rights of women and negatively impacts their health, nutritional status, and overall well-being, as well as the well-being of households and communities. We suggest that feminist political ecology and modern matriarchal studies provide holistic interlinking frameworks for investigating underlying issues of power and inequality. We further argue that a focus on the principles of respect, responsibility, and relationships, and an openness to different worldviews, can facilitate a bridging of Indigenous and Western approaches in research and community action conducted in partnership with Indigenous Peoples. This can contribute to creating new ways of knowing regarding Indigenous Peoples' food systems, equally valuing both knowledge systems. Indigenous Peoples' rights, right to food, and food sovereignty are frames that, despite some tensions, have the common goal of self-determination. Through their ability to inform, empower, and mobilize, they provide tools for social movements and communities to challenge existing structural inequalities and leverage social change.

The intention of this article is to demonstrate how Indigenous and allied health promotion researchers learned to work together through a process of Two-Eyed Seeing. This process was first introduced as a philosophical hermeneutic research project on diabetes prevention within an Indigenous community in Quebec Canada. We, as a research team, became aware that hermeneutics and the principles of Haudenosaunee decision making were characteristic of Two-Eyed Seeing. This article describes our experiences while working with each other. Our learning from these interactions emphasized the relational aspects needed to ensure that we became a highly functional research team while working together and becoming Two-Eyed Seeing partners.

Indigenous Peoples are reclaiming their food security, nutrition, and well-being by revitalizing food systems, livelihoods, knowledge-systems, and governance. Our food security research is guided by sustainable self-determination that focuses on restoring Indigenous cultural responsibilities and relationships to land, each other, and the natural world (Corntassel, 2008). Our Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk) research team from Kahnawà:ke, in Quebec, Canada, examines food insecurity experiences in our community to explore ways of upholding our Haudenosaunee responsibilities and enhancing local food security. We collaboratively designed the study and interviewed Kahnawakehró:non (people from the Kahnawake community) with traditional knowledge, extensive community experience, and interests in food and culture. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed by the team. Analysis characterized food insecurity experiences and conditions that challenge and enable food security with attention to traditional food systems, relationships to land, and gender-related responsibilities. Findings show that communal responsibilities generate resilient strategies that provide for all in times of crisis, and long-term food insecurity is managed through social programs, organized charities, and family support. Enhancing food security involves healing and protecting a limited land-base for food production, integrating food production with community priorities for education, training, health, economic development, and scientific innovation. Nurturing spiritual connections with tionhnhéhkwen (life sustaining foods), the natural world, and each other calls for accelerated teaching and practicing our original instructions. Challenges in developing food security leadership, balancing capitalism and subsistence economies, and strengthening social relationships are rooted in the historical colonial and current settler-colonial context that disrupts all aspects of Kanien'kehá:ka society.

A number of factors contribute to the development of obesity in adolescents, including various dietary and lifestyle behaviors, and a host of social and environmental factors, such as socioeconomic status, parental education, and culture. Research examining beliefs about behaviors related to weight status in adolescents, such as food intake, can create a better understanding of risk factors for obesity. This study explored beliefs about behaviors related to weight status in 20 early adolescent girls aged 9 to 13 years and their mothers in O'ahu, Hawai'i. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted to elucidate beliefs through discussion of food purchasing, feeding practices, portion control strategies, eating outside the home, and body size perception. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and examined using directed content analysis. Both mothers and daughters believed that diets should consist of fresh foods and be based on principles of variety, balance, and moderation, and had negative perceptions of school lunch. In describing ideal body size, mothers expressed greater concern for overweight, as well as ethno-cultural beauty standards, than daughters. Mothers believed daughters should have a positive relationship with food but also applied various portion control strategies with them. Findings reveal how mothers' and daughters' beliefs may influence daily food-related practices in adolescent girls. Future studies may seek to investigate the role these factors may play in determining weight status in adolescents in Hawai'i, with findings to be used to inform health promotion programs.

A number of factors contribute to the development of obesity in adolescents, including various dietary and lifestyle behaviors, and a host of social and environmental factors, such as socioeconomic status, parental education, and culture. Research examining beliefs about behaviors related to weight status in adolescents, such as food intake, can create a better understanding of risk factors for obesity. This study explored beliefs about behaviors related to weight status in 20 early adolescent girls aged 9 to 13 years and their mothers in O'ahu, Hawai'i. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted to elucidate beliefs through discussion of food purchasing, feeding practices, portion control strategies, eating outside the home, and body size perception. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and examined using directed content analysis. Both mothers and daughters believed that diets should consist of fresh foods and be based on principles of variety, balance, and moderation, and had negative perceptions of school lunch. In describing ideal body size, mothers expressed greater concern for overweight, as well as ethno-cultural beauty standards, than daughters. Mothers believed daughters should have a positive relationship with food but also applied various portion control strategies with them. Findings reveal how mothers' and daughters' beliefs may influence daily food-related practices in adolescent girls. Future studies may seek to investigate the role these factors may play in determining weight status in adolescents in Hawai'i, with findings to be used to inform health promotion programs.