A-dae Romero-Briones is the Director of Programs at the First Nations Development Institute, an organization committed to strengthening tribal assets and helping Native Communities restore and retain their culture. First Nations supports tribes and Native communities as they build sustainable food systems that improve health, strengthen food security and increase their control over Native agriculture and food systems. On this episode of “Food Lab Talk,” Michiel speaks with A-dae about the role of community in addressing complex systems change, why the term “food system” is not a monolith, and how food systems can take radically different forms depending on their historical, cultural and societal context. 

A-dae Romero-Briones: “When you think of yourself as an individual in a very complex system, it becomes very overwhelming very fast. But if you think of yourself as an individual in the community that has relationships, that has to deal with a complex system it becomes a little easier.” 

01:01 Intro to A-dae and First Nations Development Institute 

04:09 Comparison of mainstream and Indigenous food systems 

10:25 Transferrable learnings from Indigenous food systems 

14:36 How Indigenous food sovereignty can reduce food waste 

18:17 What sparked A-dae’s passion for food system change 

22:49 The role of a change leader vs. first follower 

24:34 How to consider and address systems change 

31:15 A-dae’s vision for the future 

Links 

• Learn more about First Nations Development Institute 
• Watch the film, Gather 
• Find an Indigenous community near you 

Subscribe, rate, review the show at foodlabtalk.com 

*The views expressed by the guests in this podcast don't necessarily represent the host’s views, nor those of his employer.