Building an Indigenous-Led Vision for a Circular Bioeconomy in Canada

We’re pleased to share highlights from the first two Canadian workshops focused on Indigenous-led circular bioeconomies, held on November 10, 2025, and December 9, 2025. These gatherings created space for meaningful dialogue, reflection, and knowledge-sharing grounded in culture, community, and connection to the land.

The workshops were moderated by Dean Assinewe (Registered Forestry Professional, Sagamok First Nation), with support from Isabell Souliere (Cultural Researcher, Canadian Forest Service) and Heather MacDonald (Interdisciplinary Social Scientist, Canadian Forest Service). Participants included Elders and Knowledge Keepers, representatives from the Indigenous Forestry Initiative, the Indigenous Seed Collection Program, the National Aboriginal Forestry Association (NAFA), Indigenous businesses, a Tribal industrial investment organization, and a Tribal Council.

The first workshop opened in a good way on November 10, following an offering of Tobacco by Dean Assinewe. Elder Dean Sayers, Former Ogama (Chief) of Batchewana First Nation, opened the Circle with prayer and a blessing. Heather MacDonald expressed gratitude to Obadjiwan (Batchewana First Nation) and Ketegaunseebee (Garden River First Nation) as the original caretakers of the land where the Great Lakes Forestry Centre (Sault Ste. Marie / Bawating) is located, while also recognizing the many Nations represented from across Turtle Island.

The discussions were guided by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, which continue to inspire efforts within the Canadian Forest Service and Natural Resources Canada to move beyond words toward respectful relationships, partnership-building, and new ways of working together.

Throughout the workshops, Dean Assinewe encouraged participants to think about “the bigger picture” of a circular bioeconomy, one that brings together:

• Practices such as cultural burning, harvesting, and caring for resources without exhausting them

• Culture, including language, food systems, art, and community wellbeing

• People, with Elders at the heart and leadership emerging from many places

• Spirituality, recognizing connection to land and the importance of seeing the whole system

Participants reflected on local examples of circular bioeconomies, multiple uses of forest and plant resources, and the social, environmental, and economic impacts for communities. The second workshop on December 9 further explored what truly goes into Indigenous-led circular bioeconomies.

Following these sessions, the project team reviewed notes and developed shared themes, which were circulated to participants on January 15, 2026. A final workshop will take place on January 27, 2026, continuing this collective journey.

We are especially honoured to share the accompanying graphic created by Rainbow Agawa, whose artwork beautifully brings the workshop themes to life. As Rainbow describes:

“This artwork illustrates an Indigenous vision of a circular bioeconomy rooted in balance, sustainability, and community. Centred on the turtle of Turtle Island, it connects land, water, culture, and future generations, showing how economic systems can exist in respectful relationship with the earth. By weaving together forests, clean water, traditional foods, language, and intergenerational knowledge, the piece emphasizes that true sustainability is inseparable from cultural continuity and collective wellbeing.”

The graphic which artist Rainbow Agawa created based on the Canadian workshops. View PDF version here.

Thank you to everyone who contributed their time, knowledge, and care to these workshops, and to Rainbow Agawa for creating such a powerful visual expression of the shared vision emerging from the Circle.

See more of Rainbow’s work at 👉 https://rainbowagawa.com/

We’re grateful to help share these conversations and images as they continue to grow.