National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture and Food

What National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture and Food does

National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture and Food (NCIAF) is an Indigenous-led non-profit organization headquartered in Regina, Saskatchewan, that supports Indigenous-led agriculture and food systems across Canada. Founded in 2023, it serves First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, businesses, and Peoples through a combination of programming, free resources, community convening, and policy advocacy. Its stated mission is to advance reconciliation within the Canadian agriculture industry, strengthen food security and sovereignty, and facilitate connections between Indigenous communities, the agriculture industry, government entities, and Indigenous knowledge keepers.

NCIAF's core offerings include the National Indigenous Agriculture Programs (NIAP) suite (described as currently in development), a centralized Web Hub that curates programs, funding, learning opportunities, and sector networks by province and territory, and a library of free downloadable toolkits covering community gardening, seed starting, soil testing, orchard and greenhouse planning, the Seed to Silo grain farming toolkit, and business management templates. The underlying technology is a web-based resource platform rather than a commercial software product; the Web Hub is differentiated through curated, Indigenous-contextualized categorization (Business Start-Up, Indigenous Financial Institutions, Food Security & Sovereignty, etc.), and the toolkit library is differentiated through ease-of-use and free availability. Program direction is shaped by the NIAP Advisory Circle, a body of Indigenous leaders from communities across Canada, ensuring cultural accountability.

NCIAF does not operate a commercial revenue model. As a non-profit it is funded through partnerships, government contributions, foundation grants, and corporate donations aligned with reconciliation and ESG goals, and all programs, toolkits, and resources are provided free of charge. Its go-to-market approach is community-led and event-driven, anchored by direct field engagement with First Nations, annual convenings including the Indigenous Field Day, Indigenous Ag Summit, Tatanka Wichohan, and wô inina 2026, and partner-amplified distribution through NAAAN Connect, the University of Saskatchewan's SAGE Project, and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture. Distribution combines direct community engagement, self-serve web access, and channel-based reach through academic and cross-border agricultural advisory networks.

Name

National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture and Food

Legal name

National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture & Food

Website

https://nciaf.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture and Food is an Indigenous-led Canadian non-profit founded in 2023 that supports First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities through the National Indigenous Agriculture Programs, a Web Hub, free toolkits, and annual convenings to advance food sovereignty and reconciliation in agriculture.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Indigenous Agriculture and Food Sovereignty Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAAAC

Emergency Shelter, Camp Management & Non-Food Items (NFI)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Humanitarian Aid & Disaster Relief

SECONDARYEUAHAAAH

Stakeholder Engagement, Indigenous/Tribal Consultation & Social Impact (SIA)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Environmental Compliance, Monitoring & Consulting/Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) & Permitting

Keywords

• Indigenous agriculture programs
• Non-profit reconciliation services
• Food sovereignty initiatives
• Agricultural capacity building
• Community garden toolkits

Headquarters

HQ city

Regina

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Non-profit organizational model: NCIAF is a non-profit organization that does not disclose a commercial revenue model. The organization operates through partnerships, member engagement, and program delivery funded by government, foundation, and corporate contributions focused on reconciliation, ESG goals, and Indigenous agricultural development. As a charitable organization, NCIAF accepts donations and partnership contributions rather than charging fees for services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

NCIAF is an Indigenous-led non-profit that delivers free programs, online resources, and toolkits to support First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, businesses, and Peoples in developing agriculture and food sovereignty initiatives across Canada. Its core offerings are the National Indigenous Agriculture Programs (NIAP) suite, a Web Hub for resource discovery, and a library of downloadable toolkits covering community gardens, orchards, greenhouses, grain farming, and business management. All offerings are provided at no cost to users and resourced through partnerships with government, foundations, and corporate sponsors.

Product overview

NCIAF operates as a non-profit organization offering a unified platform of programs and resources rather than a commercial product. The core offerings include the National Indigenous Agriculture Programs (NIAP) as the primary programming suite, supported by the Web Hub for resource discovery and a collection of free Toolkits & Resources for hands-on implementation. The NIAP Advisory Circle provides cultural guidance. Toolkits cover specific areas including community gardens, orchards, greenhouses, grain farming (Seed to Silo), and business management. These offerings are designed to be accessible to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, businesses, and Peoples across Canada.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• National Indigenous Agriculture Programs (NIAP) A suite of programming designed for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, businesses, and Peoples to build or expand agriculture endeavors, including youth education about food sources, community garden development, and learning about various facets of the agriculture industry. Provided free of charge.
• Web Hub A centralized online platform connecting Indigenous Peoples with resources to support their journey in agriculture and food, featuring curated links to programs, funding, learning opportunities, and sector networks organized by Canadian province and territory.
• Community Garden Toolkit A comprehensive toolkit covering planning, governance, seed starting, planting, infrastructure, testing, harvest, and preservation for community gardens, designed for Indigenous communities developing community-led agricultural projects.
• Seed to Silo Toolkit A complete grain farming toolkit covering the full agricultural cycle from seed preparation through storage, designed for Indigenous grain farming operations.
• Business & Management Tools Business plan templates, cash flow projection tools, and pitch development resources designed for Indigenous agriculture entrepreneurs developing or scaling agri-food businesses.

Quantifiable outcome

• NCIAF drives reconciliation in agriculture by fostering national dialogue on Indigenous farming and food systems
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• North American Agricultural Advisory Network (NAAAN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 June 2024NCIAF partnered with NAAAN to host the webinar 'Indigenous Voices in Agriculture – Bridging Knowledge and Innovation' on June 5, 2024. The collaboration focuses on cross-cultural understanding, mentorship in agriculture, and collaboration between Indigenous and Western agricultural approaches. NCIAF joined the NAAAN Connect platform serving agricultural professionals across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
• SAGE Project (ē kanātahk askiy Soil and Agroecosystem)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe SAGE Project based at the University of Saskatchewan's Department of Soil Science collaborated with NCIAF at the 2nd Annual Indigenous Field Day. Dr. Melissa Arcand leads the initiative focused on integrating Indigenous and Western scientific knowledge for soil and agroecosystem health. SAGE and Bridge to Land Water Sky co-host the 2nd Annual Indigenous Farm & Food Festival in September 2025.
• Flying Dust First NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlying Dust First Nation's Market Garden served as the host site for NCIAF's 2nd Annual Indigenous Field Day soil workshop. The community welcomed NCIAF participants to learn about soil science and sustainable land stewardship at their agricultural operation.
• Cowessess First NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCIAF visited Cowessess First Nation in southeastern Saskatchewan to document their agricultural progress including 4C Farms and Cowessess Cultural Grounds. The visit produced the film 'Rooted in the Land: Cowessess and 4C Farms.' Gordon Lerat serves on the NIAP Advisory Circle. Cowessess is a key demonstration site for Indigenous-led agriculture.
• Digital Peasant MediaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFilmmaker Robert Maxwell of Digital Peasant Media serves as a longtime collaborator with NCIAF, producing visual storytelling content documenting Indigenous agricultural initiatives including the Cowessess First Nation film 'Rooted in the Land.'
• Kitasoo Xai'xais NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIsaiah Robinson, Deputy Chief Councillor of Kitasoo Xai'xais Nation, serves on the NIAP Advisory Circle providing guidance on Indigenous agriculture initiatives. The community represents NCIAF's commitment to having Indigenous leadership guide program development and represents a success case of Indigenous economic empowerment through aquaculture.
• University of Saskatchewan - Department of Soil SciencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Melissa Arcand, Associate Professor in the Department of Soil Science at the University of Saskatchewan, leads the SAGE Project partnered with NCIAF. She also serves as Academic Advisor for the Kanawayihetaytan Askiy Indigenous land and resource management certificate program and Academic Lead for the kihci-okâwîmâw askiy Knowledge Centre.
• Saskatchewan Ministry of AgricultureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSaskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture specialists contributed content to NCIAF toolkits and programs including Connie Achtymichuk (Vegetable Specialist), Forrest Scharf (Fruit Crops Specialist), Glen Sweetman (Greenhouse Specialist), and Sheila Miller (Programs and Services) providing agricultural expertise for Nourishing Nations Roundtable toolkits.
• Bridge to Land Water SkyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBridge to Land Water Sky co-hosts the 2nd Annual Indigenous Farm & Food Festival with SAGE Project and NCIAF at Dumont Lodge in Batoche and Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, Saskatchewan in September 2025.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Native Women's Association of Canada: National Indigenous non-profit representing Indigenous women and gender-diverse people across Canada. Comparable as a national Indigenous-led NGO delivering programs, advocacy, and partnerships across multiple regions and communities.
• National Association of Friendship Centres: National Indigenous-led non-profit network of community Friendship Centres serving urban Indigenous communities. Comparable as a national Indigenous service-delivery network with provincial reach, programming, and government partnerships.
• Canadian Federation of Agriculture: Canada's largest national agricultural general farm organization, advocating for farmers and the agricultural sector. Comparable as a national convener in Canadian agriculture, though it is a general farm lobby rather than Indigenous-led.

Direct peers

• Community Food Centres Canada: National non-profit building local food infrastructure and food security programs across Canada. Directly comparable to NCIAF in mission, non-profit structure, and delivery of community-based food and agriculture programming.
• Indigenous Clean Energy: Indigenous-led non-profit advancing Indigenous participation in the energy sector. Closely mirrors NCIAF's structure, mission, and Indigenous-led convener model applied to a different but adjacent sector (energy vs. agriculture).
• Food Secure Canada: National Canadian non-profit advancing food sovereignty, food security, and policy advocacy. Highly comparable to NCIAF as a non-profit convener linking Indigenous communities, civil society, and government on food systems reform.

Others

• Right To Play: International non-profit using sport and play to support Indigenous youth and other marginalized communities. Comparable in its Indigenous youth programming, non-profit delivery model, and partnership with communities across Canada.
• Imagine Canada: National non-profit sector support organization representing charities and non-profits. Comparable as a non-profit infrastructure and advocacy body, though it serves the broader sector rather than Indigenous agriculture specifically.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-circle-for-indigenous-agriculture-food

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture and Food