A new food sector entrepreneurship program is starting up this summer in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In the coming months, a small group of youth artists studying entrepreneurship with the non-profit organization Niriqatiginnga are designing, marketing and selling a special edition line of homemade jams for the fall and holiday season.
This winter and spring, youth have been conceptualizing different fruit and berry combinations and learning about different concepts such as biophilic and experiential design. Once they nailed down their recipes, they focused on a simple survey to test the level of interest and how potential buyers will respond. As part of their project the youth, arts and media team will design labels and content to catch people’s attention and provide all the necessary information.
At the heart of the Niriqatiginnga programme is its Youth, Arts and Media project. It’s a transformative opportunity for urban and newly-urban Indigenous youth to engage with participatory food security projects while honing their skills in arts, entrepreneurship and digital media literacy. As a pilot program, youth and aspiring entrepreneurs receive comprehensive training and exposure to various food sector entrepreneurship roles. Through hands-on activities, they develop life, career and job skills, supporting outreach, relationship building, organizational development and engagement. This component of the program is funded by the Youth Employment and Skills Program funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
Youth Arts and Media Team activities intersect with ongoing Niriqatiginnga activities, made possible with funding from Manitoba Agriculture and the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. For all activities, there is a strong emphasis on food sector literacy and training. Inuit, First Nations and Métis youth who will work alongside established arts and food industry mentors in the design and delivery of health and food security interventions that promote healthy messages.
The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership provides funding for the development of innovative partnerships that enhance relationships with Indigenous peoples and increase participation and opportunities in Manitoba’s agriculture and agri-food economy; including the development and growth of local food systems to empower food sovereignty.
Working with Winnipeg-based Niriqatiginnga, the program will also study the impacts of mentorship programs that pair experienced Nutrition North Canada and Manitoba food sector entrepreneurs with urban and newly-urban Indigenous youth. This focus and resulting insights will help youth gain valuable skills and insights into entrepreneurship and the food sector, while working to address issues of northern food insecurity.
To learn more about this exciting new project, and this season’s upcoming special edition products the youth are designing, visit their web site at https://niriqatiginnga.ca
