Rural Routes to Climate Solutions

By Rural Routes to Climate SolutionsEducation

Rural Routes to Climate Solutions episodes

July 23EP 83 – Healing Through Food, Land & Culture
In this episode of the Rural Routes to Climate Solutions podcast, we welcome Christen Falcon, from the Amskapi Piikani (Blackfeet Nation) in Montana.
Christen has worked across food sovereignty, community wellness, education and Indigenous health, bringing together Blackfoot ways of knowing with modern approaches to nutrition, agriculture and holistic wellbeing. Drawing from both personal experience and professional work, she shares how reconnecting with land, food and culture can help individuals and communities heal from trauma while strengthening relationships with each other and the environment.
Joining our host, Derek Leahy, Christen reflects on her journey into this work, her involvement with the Blackfeet Agricultural Resource Management Plan (ARMP), and why food security cannot be separated from mental health, culture and community. Together, they explore how traditional ecological knowledge, buffalo and beaver restoration, and stronger collaboration across the Blackfoot Confederacy can help build healthier people and healthier landscapes.
Throughout the conversation, Christen offers a hopeful vision for the future: one where communities are more self-reliant, connected to their traditional foods and medicines, and leading land stewardship through Blackfoot ways of knowing.
Highlights
05:35 – Christen introduces herself and shares how childhood experiences shaped her passion for food, health and Blackfeet Ways of Knowing.
16:44 – Derek asks how Christen got involved with the Blackfeet Agricultural Resource Management Plan (ARMP) and its vision for food sovereignty.
20:35 – Christen began contacting and connecting with partnerships, meat processing and reconnecting people with traditional foods.
23:51 – Why addressing trauma and survival mode is essential before people can reconnect with land, culture and environmental stewardship.
29:14 – Derek asks Christen about the healing power of spending time on the land, and how traditional knowledge deepens that connection.
31:59 – Christen discusses what it will take to achieve Blackfeet food sovereignty.
37:51 – How Blackfeet Ways of Knowing and agriculture can work together or have common threads?
45:33 – Christen shares her vision for healthier communities, stronger cultural connections and Indigenous-led stewardship for future generations.
Useful links:
Siksikaitsitapi Agriculture Project
Blackfeet Agricultural Resource Management Plan
Want to learn more?
To listen to our other podcast episodes from the SAP project, visit the producers resource hub.
54 min
August 26, 2025EP 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.
29 min
August 05, 2025EP 81 – The Work of Katoyiss
In this episode of the Rural Routes to Climate Solutions podcast, we’re reconnecting with an old friend of the podcast, Api’soomaahka (translation: Running Coyote). His English name is William Singer III.
Api’soomaahka is an artist, land-based educator and founder of Naapi’s Garden and Katoyiss Seed Bank. He returns to the podcast to share updates on his powerful work around restoring native plants, reconnecting people with land-based wellness and revitalizing Blackfoot ecological knowledge in his community.
Joining our Siksikaitsitapi Agricultural Project host, Lance Tailfeathers, is guest host Riel Houle, Outreach Coordinator at RR2CS, for a thoughtful roundtable conversation about the transformative power of land stewardship and traditional food systems.
In this episode, we hear stories of restoring sweetgrass, wild turnip, wild carrot and combating invasive species. This episode goes deeper than land restoration, we are introduced to the story of Katoyiss – a Blackfoot hero who travelled across the land setting things right and restoring balance. Api’soomaahka draws compelling parallels between Katoyiss’ story and the modern-day work of land stewards: restoring balance to ecosystems, food systems and community health.
Highlights:
04:09 – Api’soomaahka (William Singer) introduces himself
06:15 – Reflections on how farming has impacted land on Blackfoot territory over the years
07:31 – Explanation of the work at Naapi’s Garden to restore the land
09:45 – Riel asks if there are any invasive species on Kainai reserve lands?
12:03 – Reflections on the lake drying out and its impact on birds and ecosystems
14:39 – Api’soomaahka explains what Blackfoot ecological knowledge is and his involvement in raising awareness in his community
20:06 – Lance asks Api’soomaahka to expand on food security and healthier eating in the community
24:29 – Introduction and background of Naapi’s Garden and Katoyiss Seed Bank project
27:40 – Api’soomaahka reflects on how he teaches youth and the importance of education
30:25 – The urgency of taking action – to grow native plants and educate youth to have the power to restore lands
Useful links:
Kainai Ecosystem Protection Agency
Naapi’s Garden
Want to learn more?
Listen to our earlier interview with Api’soomaaahka on native plants here.
33 min
May 26, 2025EP 80 – Meet the Prairie Precision Sustainability Network
Welcome to Restoring the Margins, our brand new podcast series, in partnership with the Prairie Precision Sustainability Network (PPSN). This series explores how agriculture producers in the Prairies can take their marginal lands and turn them into something both more profitable and more beneficial for the environment. In this opening episode, we’re joined by Dr. Christy Morrissey, a professor at the University of Saskatchewan and a lead researcher with the PPSN.
Dr. Morrissey walks us through the PPSN project; a prairies-wide project that uses satellite imagery combined with yield and profit data to help identify marginal lands, with the goal of supporting producers to restore them. Together, we explore how restoring these lands can be a win-win: helping producers improve their bottom line while also supporting biodiversity and the environment.
Highlights:
2:05 – First off – what are marginal lands?
8:22 – Dr. Morrissey explains the history of PPSN and how the project came to fruition
12:24 – An overview of PPSN, phase 1 of the project and Dr. Morrissey’s role
14:47 – Is it a lot of work for the producer to restore marginal lands?
16:55 – Dr. Morrissey talks about the plans for phase 2, Marginal Land Solutions
19:17 – Are you looking for more producers to be involved?
22:27 – How do they identify the marginal land areas?
26:46 – Dr. Morrissey explains why they use profit to define marginal areas, not yield
29:06 – When looking for participants, are you interested in a certain type of grower?
30:44 – Dr. Morrissey’s background and how she got into this area of work
33:30 – How you can go about restoring marginal lands and why it matters
37:30 – Dr. Morrissey explains some of the species that, when planted, help restore margins
41:20 – How can you get involved if you’re a producer who’s interested in benefitting from the margins?
43:09 – Dr. Morrissey closes with her long term ambitions for the project and its impact
Useful links:
PPSN Website
This podcast has been funded by the Prairie Precision Sustainability Network and the University of Saskatchewan.
Music credits: We’d like to thank Floating Temples for the use of their track Spring Wood in this series.
Want to learn more?
Our Farmer’s Blog is also a great source for stories of producers in Alberta who are going the extra mile with their management practices for the land, food and their communities.
51 min
May 15, 2025EP 79 – Kainai Self Sufficiency
In this episode of the Siksikaitsitapi Agriculture Project (SAP) podcast series, Lance Tailfeathers sits down with Wolf Caller (Elliot Fox), a leader in land management and now a member of Kainai First Nation’s Council. They discuss the past, present and future of agriculture in Kainai First Nation in southern Alberta, exploring how Blackfoot ways of knowing can help to protect water systems against droughts, enhance food security and protect native species.
Wolf Caller (Elliot) shares his journey in environmental conservation and land management, from his early days with Parks Canada to his work with the Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council. The conversation then dives into the historical significance of agriculture on the Kainai Reserve, how colonial policies disrupted that self-sufficiency and the potential for sustainable, community-based food production today.
Highlights:
5:21 – Wolf Caller introduces himself and talks about his history working in conservation and land management and his role with the Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council.
7:20 – What is your personal connection to agriculture and conservation, growing up on the Blood reserve?
10:26 – Wolf Caller shares his thoughts on potential drought solutions and irrigation within the Blackfoot Confederacy
15:43 – Is there a difference between our Blackfoot ways of knowing compared to the more “typical” farming practices we’ve been exposed to through colonization?
20:25 – Being the former director of the Blood Tribe Lands Management Department, what were those relationships like with farmers on the reserve?
22:10 – Wolf Caller reflects on ensuring producers were using best management practices during his time as director.
25:11 – What are your thoughts on where the Kainai Nation could go with respect to food security and becoming more self-sufficient?
32:00 – Wolf Caller’s thoughts on the potential to re-introduce native grasses and Bison to cultivated land on Kainai.
Useful links:
Blood Tribe Agriculture Project
Want to learn more?
We’ve got more podcast episodes, and a Farmer’s Blog from members of the Blackfoot community. If you want to learn more, check out the Siksikaitsitapi Agriculture section of our resource package. Mentioned in this episode:
Episode 30, William Singer
Norma Wolfchild, farmers blog
38 min
March 19, 2024EP 78 – Everybody Wins – SoR Part 10
Wrapping up our Stories of Regeneration tour, we land in Ottawa at Just Food Community Farm, a 150-acre farmstead located in Ottawa’s Greenbelt that is championing small-scale, viable agriculture businesses and initiatives like Chi Garden and Urban Fresh Produce.
Dedicated to cultivating a thriving local food economy and sustainable farming sector, Just Food integrates agroecology-based conservation with land stewardship. The farm is a testament to how community-led initiatives can redefine our food systems, offering food sovereignty for all, including newcomers to Canada. Its Start-up Farm Program addresses the critical barrier of land access, turning aspiring individuals into farmers and fostering community regeneration.
Highlighting this unique model, Chadwick Lewis (Urban Fresh Produce) and Sun Shan (Chi Garden), participants of the program, share their experiences in our series finale, underscoring the farm’s role in sustainable agriculture and community building.
Highlights:
6:45 – What is Just Food Community Farm?
15:25 – Chadwick and Sun Shan talk about their individual farms and how they got involved in agriculture.
23:14 – What regenerative practices do they implement on their individual farms?
34:33 – Sun Shan and Chadwick talk about food sovereignty.
46:02 – How can we support new Canadians who want to get involved in agriculture and ensure economic viability?
1:02:31 – Why did Sun Shan and Chadwick choose farming?
Useful links:
Stories of Regeneration
Stories of Regeneration Short Film Series
Regeneration Canada’s Farm Map
Just Food Community Farm
Want to learn more?
If you want to learn more, we recommend you check out the following:
EP 47 – The Regen Mindset
EP 67 – Total Grazing – SoR Part 1
EP 69 – Loyal to the Soil – SoR Part 2
EP 70 – Maximizing Soil Function – SoR Part 3
EP 71 – Sharing the Land – SoR Part 4
EP 72 – Connecting People to Place – SoR Part 5
EP 73 – Diversity is Resiliency – SoR Part 6
EP 75 – From Pastures to Cheese – SoR Part 7
EP 76 – Partners in the Ecosystem – SoR Part 8
EP 77 – Healthy Food, Healthy Communities – SoR Part 9

Our Farmers Blog shares stories about Alberta farmers who do an exceptional job of caring for the land, producing food, and building up their communities.
This podcast has been partially funded by Agriculture and Agri-food Canada
1 hr 12 min
March 11, 2024EP 77 – Healthy Food, Healthy Environment – SoR Part 9
On the second-last stop in our Stories of Regeneration tour, we returned to Alberta, making a stop at Peony Farms in Lacombe.
Facing his daughter’s health issues, rancher Craig Cameron and his family turned to regenerative farming to grow the healthiest food possible for her. Craig, alongside his father-in-law Peter DenOudsten, shifted their traditional beef farm to a regenerative model. They now grow over 10 types of grass and clover, use less fertilizer, and produce some of the healthiest, most nutritious beef you can find.
Highlights:
5:22 – Peter shares the history of Peony Farms.
6:46 – How did Peter become aware of regenerative agriculture principles and practices?
9:15 – Why did the farm start heading down the regenerative agriculture path?
15:25 – Peter and Craig talk about the regenerative practices they use on the farm.
22:48 – Have Peter and Craig seen benefits from implementing regenerative agriculture?
25:06 – What is forage-finished beef?
30:53 – Why raise piedmontese cattle?
36:35 – Peter and Craig talk about testing.
46:34 – What role can consumers play in supporting the adoption of regenerative agriculture?
51:29 – What is the regenerative mindset?
Useful links:
Stories of Regeneration
Stories of Regeneration Short Film Series
Regeneration Canada’s Farm Map
Peony Farms
Want to learn more?
If you want to learn more, we recommend you check out the following:
EP 47 – The Regen Mindset
EP 67 – Total Grazing – SoR Part 1
EP 69 – Loyal to the Soil – SoR Part 2
EP 70 – Maximizing Soil Function – SoR Part 3
EP 71 – Sharing the Land – SoR Part 4
EP 72 – Connecting People to Place – SoR Part 5
EP 73 – Diversity is Resiliency – SoR Part 6
EP 75 – From Pastures to Cheese – SoR Part 7
EP 76 – Partners in the Ecosystem – SoR Part 8
Our Farmers Blog shares stories about Alberta farmers who do an exceptional job of caring for the land, producing food, and building up their communities.
This podcast has been partially funded by Agriculture and Agri-food Canada
1 hr
March 04, 2024EP 76 Partners in the Ecosystem – SoR Part Eight
In these final three episodes of the series, we’ll be doing some light exploration into the relationship between society and regenerative agriculture and how one can help advance the other. But the real meat and potatoes of the last three episodes, just like in all the other episodes in this series, will be about getting to know and understand the boots on the ground folks who are leading the way on this change that we are seeing in the agriculture sector.
Meet Rebecca Harbut and Mike Bomford from Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) in Richmond, BC—prime examples of such trailblazers. Now, you might wonder, how do university professors fit the description of being ‘on the ground’? Well, let me tell you, KPU isn’t just any university; it boasts a farm that lies at the heart of Rebecca and Mike’s endeavors.
Moreover, as we’ve touched upon throughout this podcast series, with Canada’s population nearing the 40 million mark, farm and ranch operators, along with farm laborers, represent a mere fraction—around 1%—of the populace. The takeaway here? It’s going to require a collective effort, involving many of us outside the traditional farming community, to partner with that crucial 1%. This collaboration is key to expanding regenerative agriculture from a niche practice to a widespread one.
Highlights:
8:33 – Rebecca and Mike help us get to know them better.
15:31 – How did the land that KPU sits on get involved in agriculture?
27:22 – What’s taking place on the KPU farm?
37:14 – What regenerative practices are used on the KPU farm?
40:13 – Mike talks more about the farm’s crop rotation.
48:08 – What is the story that KPU farm is trying to tell?
53:31 – How hard was it for the university to take that leap into establishing an ecosystem?
58:45 – Why are community partners an important part of the ecosystem at the KPU farm?
Useful links:
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Stories of Regeneration
Stories of Regeneration Short Film Series
Regeneration Canada’s Farm Map
Want to learn more?
If you want to learn more, we recommend you check out the following:
EP 67 – Total Grazing – SoR Part 1
EP 69 – Loyal to the Soil – SoR Part 2
EP 70 – Maximizing Soil Function – SoR Part 3
EP 71 – Sharing the Land – SoR Part 4
EP 72 – Connecting People to Place – SoR Part 5
EP 73 – Diversity is Resiliency – SoR Part 6
EP 75 – From Pastures to Cheese – SoR Part 7
Our Farmers Blog shares stories about Alberta farmers who do an exceptional job of caring for the land, producing food, and building up their communities.
This podcast has been partially funded by Agriculture and Agri-food Canada
1 hr 14 min
February 22, 2024EP 75 From Pastures to Cheese – SoR Part Seven
For this very special French-language episode of the Rural Routes to Climate Solutions podcast, recorded in the late summer of 2023 during the Stories of Regeneration tour, Sara Maranda-Gauvin of Regeneration Canada talked with brothers Vincent and Simon-Pierre Bolduc of La Station: an organic farm and cheese factory in the Eastern Townships of Quebec.
The Bolduc brothers are the 4th generation of farmers in their family enterprise. While La Station has been practicing organic farming since their childhood, in 1996, the brothers keep improving on the agricultural practices in place, turning to regenerative agriculture to create a healthy environment for the soil, the livestock and the human beings who are working with both.
Highlights:
2:45 – Vincent and Simon-Pierre talk about their roles at La Station.
4:40 – The Bolduc brothers share the story of how they joined the family enterprise.
9:11 – Vincent and Simon-Pierre describe the farm and the landscape.
12:51 – Vincent explains the consideration that is given to worker well-being at La Station.
16:49 – The brothers describe the practices they put in place for animal well-being.
19:19 – Simon-Pierre and Vincent talk about the evolution of La Station through the generations towards organic and regenerative agriculture.
26:11 – What does organic dairy production bring to the sector in terms of traceability?
28:32 – The brothers explain their vision of regenerative agriculture and why they practice it.
31:39 – The brothers detail the practices in place to promote soil health at La Station.
39:08 – How does soil and animal health impact the taste of the cheeses produced?
50:06 – Simon-Pierre and Vincent reflect on the past years’ improvements on the farm and talk about their plans for the future.
1:01:18 – What can be done to help transition the dairy sector towards regenerative practices?
Useful links:
La Station
Stories of Regeneration
Stories of Regeneration Short Film Series
Regeneration Canada’s Farm Map
Dedicated Dairy Farms
Want to learn more?
If you want to learn more, we recommend you check out the following:
EP 67 – Total Grazing – SoR Part 1
EP 69 – Loyal to the Soil – SoR Part 2
EP 70 – Maximizing Soil Function – SoR Part 3
EP 71 – Sharing the Land – SoR Part 4
EP 72 – Connecting People to Place – SoR Part 5
EP 73 – Diversity is Resiliency – SoR Part 6

Our Farmers Blog shares stories about Alberta farmers who do an exceptional job of caring for the land, producing food, and building up their communities.
This podcast has been partially funded by Agriculture and Agri-food Canada
1 hr 11 min
February 12, 2024EP 74 Niitsitapi Agriculture Certificate
If you are a lifelong learner, being an agricultural producer is almost the perfect profession for you.
Other economic sectors evolve and adapt over the years, but since nature doesn’t work off of blueprints, learning and adapting in agriculture can happen over days, even hours. You never know what Mother Nature is going to dish out, whether it is going to be the good, the bad or the ugly, so being able to observe, learn and adapt can be just as handy as mechanical skills.
And now we have educational programs that blend Blackfoot ways of knowing and agriculture.
In this episode of Rural Routes to Climate Solutions, we are taking a look at the Red Crow Community College’s Niitsitapi Agriculture Certificate Program with JR Weasel Fat of Kainai. It is a one-year diploma program on agricultural production and business management that also provides an opportunity to do the second year of the program at Olds College.
Highlights:
3:04 – JR Weasel Fat shares some information about himself and his role at Red Crow Community College
15:18 – Does the program raise awareness of regenerative agriculture practices?
18:00 – What do producers need to know about soil degradation?
21:06 – How does JR approach the concept of soil carbon sequestration with his students?
23:10 – JR shares his thoughts on phase 1 of the Siksikaitsitapi Agriculture Project.
24:40 – What are community gardens like in Standoff, Alberta?
27:03 – JR shares talks about his students.
28:30 – What are the possible connections between Blackfoot culture and regenerative agriculture?
Useful links:
Red Crow College
Olds College
22nd Annual Blackfoot Confederacy Conference
Want to learn more?
Our Farmers Blog shares stories about Alberta farmers who do an exceptional job of caring for the land, producing food, and building up their communities.
34 min