Black Food Sovereignty and Land Ownership: A Path to Liberation and Healing

When we talk about food sovereignty and land ownership in Canada, it’s necessary to recognize the deep-rooted histories of colonization, systemic racism, and the ways Black communities have been historically marginalized Black communities. But amidst these barriers, a powerful movement is emerging: Black food sovereignty 🌱 It’s about reclaiming our right to grow, eat, and share food in ways that celebrate culture, strengthen Black communities, and create a sustainable future.

So, what is Black food sovereignty, and why does it matter? Simply put, it’s about control—control over the food we eat, the land we grow it on, and the systems that sustain us. For Black Canadians, this means dismantling structures that have excluded them from land ownership and agricultural spaces for centuries. It also means addressing the disparities in access to fresh, affordable, and culturally relevant food 🌽

A Canadian and Global Perspective

Twenty-four-year-old Cheyenne Sundance, founder of Sundance Harvest, at her farm in June (Cockerline, 2023).

As we explore both global and local aspects of Black food sovereignty and land ownership, it’s important to highlight the work being done in Canada. A key example is Sundance Harvest, an urban farm in Toronto led by Cheyenne Sundance. Located at Downsview Park, the farm focuses on food justice and sustainability, offering a safe space for marginalized individuals to learn about urban farming 🚜

Despite her success, Sundance faces harassment and theft, reflecting the unique struggles Black women face in agriculture. To combat these challenges, Sundance created initiatives like Growing in the Margins, which mentors marginalized youth and helps them start their own farming projects. Cheyenne’s experience shines a light on the intersection of racial and systemic issues in agriculture, from land access to food justice. Her story not only underscores the challenges of Black land ownership in Canada but also demonstrates how urban farming can empower communities and foster healing.

Similarly, Afro-Colombian communities face their own struggles with land rights and agricultural autonomy, particularly in regions like the Pacific Coast and Chocó. For Afro-Colombians, their deep connection to the land is being threatened by external forces that undermine their ability to maintain traditional farming practices and secure food sovereignty. A powerful example comes from the Afro-Colombian women of Alto Mira y Frontera, who have fought to protect their land and resources, essential not just for their livelihoods but for their cultural identity 🏞️

Despite depending on their land for agricultural activities, Afro-Colombian communities face continuous threats from large-scale agricultural projects, illegal land grabs, and armed groups involved in the drug trade. These pressures have led to displacement, leaving many without access to the land that sustains them. In response, Law 70 (Ley de Comunidades Negras), passed in 1993, was designed to protect Afro-Colombian communities' collective land rights, granting them the right to title and govern their ancestral land. However, the weak enforcement of this law highlights the deeper, systemic issues of racial, social, and economic inequality that continue to threaten food sovereignty, making the struggle for land restitution even more urgent.

Food Apartheid in Black Communities

In both Canada and Colombia, the struggles for land ownership and food sovereignty highlight a broader issue of food apartheid affecting Black communities worldwide. Food apartheid refers to the systemic barriers that limit access to healthy, affordable, and culturally appropriate food, often driven by racial, economic, and geographic inequality. This problem isn't confined to just one region—Black communities around the globe, from urban neighborhoods in North America to rural areas in Africa and Latin America, face limited access to fresh, nutritious food due to factors like food deserts, discriminatory policies, and the dominance of large-scale agricultural industries. As a result, these communities often rely on processed or unhealthy foods, leading to significant health disparities and perpetuating cycles of poverty. Tackling food apartheid is essential for achieving true food sovereignty and justice for Black communities everywhere.

Reclaiming Land and Liberation

The movements for Land Back and Black Liberation are closely tied to the fight for Black Food Sovereignty and the rights of Indigenous and Black Indigenous Canadians. These movements aim to return land to its rightful stewards—communities that have been historically dispossessed. For Black and Black Indigenous communities in Canada, reclaiming land is vital for food sovereignty, as it allows them to reconnect with traditional farming practices, resist exploitation, and access culturally relevant food.

Both groups are working together to advance food sovereignty, with a focus on benefiting from government investments like BC's $214 million school food program. Discussions emphasize the need for these communities to have a say in policies that impact their food systems and land access. By reclaiming land, both Black and Indigenous communities can challenge the economic and environmental systems that have oppressed them. These movements aren’t just about returning land—they're about restoring autonomy, culture, and justice for marginalized groups in Canada and beyond 🌾

How You Can Support the Movement

Supporting the Land Back and Black Food Sovereignty movements can be done in many ways—whether by donating, volunteering, or getting involved in community-led projects. Amplify the voices of affected communities, educate yourself about their struggles, and advocate for policies that protect land and food sovereignty. Stand in solidarity with Black and Indigenous communities, ensuring they have the resources to reclaim their land, culture and access to distribute their produce 🧑🏾‍🤝‍🧑🏾

Here are some practical ways to get involved:

Support your local Black or Indigenous-led food justice organizations like Afri-Can FoodBasket and Indigenous Food Systems Network (IFSN).
Advocate for policies that address land access and food insecurity in Black communities.
Buy from Black farmers and food businesses.
Learn the histories of Black farming and land ownership in Canada and critically examine how colonial systems still shape our world.

The fight for Black food sovereignty isn’t just about land or food—it’s about justice, dignity, and liberation. When Black communities thrive, we all thrive. Let’s keep planting those seeds of change 👩🏽‍🌾

Dorothy Sierra-Gutierrez

Social Issues Researcher at Future Black Female

Brock University

Undergraduate Sociology (Honours) Co-op

Concentration in Criminology

Double Minors in French Studies and Women and Gender Studies

References

Human Rights Watch (HRW). (2020, June 3). “We must ask for what is already ours”: Afro-descendant women and access to land in Alto Mira y Frontera, Colombia. Human Rights Watch. https://www.hrw.org/report/2020/06/03/we-must-ask-what-already-ours/afro-descendant-women-and-access-land-alto-mira

Cockerline, J. (2023, June 27). Ontario’s Black farmers are fighting for land in the Greater Toronto Area. The Narwhal. https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-black-farmers-fight-for-land-gta/

Food Secure Canada. (2019, November 13). Indigenous Peoples & African Canadians from across the country come together to share insights, inspiration and set the agenda for food justice. Food Secure Canada. https://foodsecurecanada.org/resources-news/news-media/indigenous-peoples-african-canadians-food-justice