Dr. Sarapura-Escobar will discuss the Braiding Food Systems project; a three-year collaborative initiative with First Nations communities in Northern Ontario that integrates Indigenous and Western knowledge to strengthen food security and food sovereignty. It focuses on re-localizing seed systems, supporting community gardens, and introducing climate-adapted Indigenous seed varieties to enhance nutrition, health, and resilience in the face of climate change and colonial legacies. Through trust-building, community-led research, and participatory action, the project emphasizes respectful partnerships and sustainable, culturally grounded approaches to food systems development.