EP 82 – Meet The Coordinators

In this bonus episode of the SAP series, we sit down with two of our coordinators from our Siksikaitsitapi Agriculture Project (SAP): Riel Houle and Nathan Provost. Both are proud members of the Piikani First Nation and bring Blackfoot cultural knowledge and their own personal connections to the land and agriculture to their work.  This conversation explores what regenerative agriculture can look like in Blackfoot communities and how traditional knowledge and community leadership are shaping the future of Blackfoot agriculture in Alberta. Riel and Nathan reflect on their personal connections to farming and food systems, the evolution of agriculture in Piikani over the years and the importance of restoring local food systems to address food security in their communities. They also introduce listeners to the SAP advisory committee, made up of representatives from the four nations of the Blackfoot Confederacy—Piikani, Kainai, Siksika and Amskapi Piikani—and share their thoughts on the potential of community-led agricultural projects. This episode offers valuable insights into land stewardship, the importance of community consultation and how Blackfoot knowledge can guide meaningful climate solutions for farming and ranching in southern Alberta and beyond. Highlights: 03:06 – Riel Houle introduces himself and the Siksikaitsitipi Agriculture Project 05:27 – Nathan Provost shares his background and connection to the land 06:12 – Nathan and Riel reflect on agriculture in Piikani past and present 10:37 – The role of regenerative agriculture on Blackfoot ancestral lands 13:07 – Blackfoot cultural identity and its influence on land stewardship 16:10 – Food security and building agricultural capacity in Piikani 20:51 – Introduction to the SAP advisory committee 25:17 – Talking Circles, partnerships and community engagement Useful links: Siksikaitsitapi Agriculture Project Want to learn more? To listen to our other podcast episodes from the SAP project, visit the producers resource hub.