The prairies, which were once home to vast expanses of native grasslands now comprise more than 80% of Canada’s agricultural land base, all of which are on Treaty territories. The soils developed over millennia under these native grasslands, grazed by bison, in close relationship with Indigenous peoples have drastically changed under intensive agricultural production. Only 14% of native grasslands are estimated to remain in the province of Saskatchewan. First Nations reserve boundaries delineate distinct patterns in the mosaic of agricultural land cover, supporting a high proportion of perennial cover—and intact native grassland—suggesting distinct habitat, biodiversity, and carbon storage from neighbouring rural municipalities. First Nations governed lands therefore offer unique potential and current capacity for biodiversity protection, climate change mitigation, and enhanced soil health. However, soil health and biodiversity has been at risk as agricultural production on First Nations reserves—and agricultural decision making—has shifted primarily to non-Indigenous producers due to the marginalization of Indigenous people from the agricultural sector and agriculture and soil education. I will highlight a new Living Lab initiative led by two First Nations in Saskatchewan, Mistawasis Nêhiyawak and Muskeg Lake Cree Nation in Treaty 6 called “Bridge to Land Water Sky” that is taking action to reverse this trend; to reduce the negative effects of intensive agriculture on human and environmental health, to nurture more resilient agroecosystems, and to revitalize our relationship to the land (askiy).
