From Seeds to Systems: Youth Across the North Explore Food Sovereignty Through Innovation

On February 24, 2026, Sustainable Food Systems for Canada (SF4C) and its Northern partners hosted the first-ever tri-territorial hackathon, From Seeds to Systems, bringing together youth from Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut to explore food sovereignty at the intersection of climate change, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Held virtually to ensure equitable participation across the North, the hackathon welcomed 20 participants aged 21 to 33 from diverse educational, professional, and community backgrounds. Through collaborative problem-solving and entrepreneurial thinking, participants examined opportunities to strengthen Northern food systems while respecting Indigenous knowledge, cultural practices, and community priorities.

Building Ideas Before the Event Began

Participants completed a pre-event registration process outlining their interests, experiences, and areas of expertise. This information was used to create balanced teams and foster meaningful collaboration across territories.

Ahead of the event, participants received challenge questions and team assignments, allowing them to begin developing ideas and conversations before gathering online. Teams also submitted initial business concepts in advance, creating a strong foundation for the day’s activities.

The hackathon opened with remarks from Dr. Evan Fraser of SF4C and the Arrell Food Institute before participants joined their teams to review and refine proposed ideas. Groups voted on concepts, combined complementary approaches, and worked together to strengthen the viability, impact, and marketing potential of their solutions before presenting them to the full cohort.

Exploring Food Sovereignty Through Multiple Lenses

Throughout the event, teams examined how innovation and entrepreneurship can support food sovereignty while responding to the unique challenges and opportunities facing Northern communities.

Discussions focused on themes including:

• Integrating traditionally harvested and farmed foods into community diets
• Applying circular economy principles grounded in Indigenous knowledge systems
• Advancing regenerative agriculture practices within Northern food systems
• Supporting culturally grounded approaches to harvesting, sharing, and protecting traditional foods

The ideas generated reflected both creativity and a deep understanding of local realities.

One team developed a Yukon-based circular economy concept that would collect unused hay and agricultural by-products and transform them into biodegradable products such as compost bags and agricultural twine. Another proposed Rooted in Resiliency, a mentorship model connecting youth with Indigenous knowledge holders and scientists through land-based learning opportunities focused on gardening, harvesting, hunting, fishing, and trapping.

Participants also explored regenerative agriculture education programs designed to help farmers reduce fertilizer and pesticide use while improving soil health, as well as broader food systems approaches that prioritize cultural values, knowledge sharing, and community wellbeing.

“In order to support community diets that include both traditionally gathered and farmed foods, we have to design systems that protect cultural protocols, reduce food costs, and create sustainable local income while ensuring traditional foods are shared and respected without turning them into commodities.”

— Joe L.

Creating Connections Across the North

Beyond the ideas themselves, participants highlighted the value of connecting with peers from other territories. Many described the hackathon as a rare opportunity to exchange experiences, compare challenges, and identify shared opportunities despite the diverse realities of communities across Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.

The event demonstrated strong engagement from Indigenous youth, with 76 per cent of respondents self-identifying as Indigenous. Participants consistently expressed appreciation for both the opportunity to participate and the preparatory materials provided ahead of the event.

Many also noted that the experience expanded their thinking about food systems, food sovereignty, and entrepreneurship, while encouraging them to consider new approaches to community-based innovation.

The momentum generated through From Seeds to Systems continues beyond the event itself.

Three participants were selected to attend the 2026 growNWT Conference in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, providing an opportunity to continue building networks and exploring pathways for innovation in Northern food systems.

Interest in ongoing engagement was also strong. Fifteen participants expressed interest in agrifood mentorship opportunities, while sixteen indicated they would like to participate in future business pitch and funding workshops.

All participants received a $250 honorarium and a certificate of participation in recognition of the time, knowledge, and perspectives they contributed.

By bringing together youth from across the North, From Seeds to Systems created space for collaboration, innovation, and relationship-building around some of the most important food system challenges facing Northern communities today. The event highlighted the knowledge, creativity, and leadership of Northern youth and demonstrated the powerful role they can play in shaping more resilient, sustainable, and culturally grounded food futures.