OTTAWA, ONTARIO — Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau recently announced the government’s financial support of up to 79 new projects across the country that promote food security in indigenous, remote and Northern communities.

Canada said it would invest up to C$19.5 million ($14.3 million) in the projects, with between $100,000 and $500,000 per project becoming available. Of the 79 projects, 56 are indigenous-led, which makes up C$15.1 million.

“Indigenous, remote and Northern communities are particularly vulnerable because of the higher cost of living and other geographic, social and economic factors,” said Marie Claude Bibeau. “With these challenges, it is more important than ever to support food systems in these communities in the long term.”

One project highlighted was the Stoney Nakoda Nations receiving $216,593 to purchase mobile food preparation equipment and infrastructure to raise chickens, gardening and fishing. The project would allow the community to create workshops to teach members about traditional food preparation and food waste reduction.