Agribition begins next week in Regina but there are not a lot of Indigenous agriculture organizations taking part in the lead up shows and sales.
Elmer Eashappie is hoping to change that through an Indigenous Agriculture Summit that is being held in conjunction with Agribition this year.
It’s a chance to learn from for band chiefs and councils and an opportunity for First Nations bands as far away as Florida to take a more prominent role in Agribition.
This is the second year the Indigenous Agriculture Summit has taken place.
Delegates are coming from all over North America including members of the Seminole tribe in Florida which has a successful Angus beef operation.
Summit Chair Elmer Eashappie says he contacted the Seminole band last year and they were so impressed with what they saw that they are back this year with an even bigger presence.
He says when he initially contacted the Seminole band they didn’t know something like Agribition even existed.
“So since then I have spoken to a gentleman there and they were always really big into angus beef and when I asked questions like, ‘Have you ever heard of Agribition,’ he said no and that kind of made me think like, really, how come?”
There has been a First Nations pavilion at Agribition for the last four years but Eashappie says it is more of a cultural and entertainment venue.
He says it is time First Nations to become bigger players in the agricultural industry.
Eashappie says the potential is there but what are needed are knowledge, motivation and opportunity.
“We have over one million acres of First Nations land in Canada and because of the past we are always renting our lands out for leasing but yet we don’t see the opportunities of creating and developing economic opportunity to sustain or own selves,” he says.
Presenters at the Indigenous Ag Summit will share their success stories and provide direction and contacts for bands that want to explore their business options in agriculture.
Hollywood actor Adam Beach is the luncheon speaker next Tuesday.
He is from a reserve in northern Manitoba and has had roles in movies such Wind Talkers and Flags of our Fathers.