Advancing Sustainable Food and Clean Water Solutions: An Update on Canadore College’s Indigenous Sustainability Initiative

At Canadore College, sustainability is more than a concept – it’s an active commitment to addressing food security, clean water access, and environmental stewardship in Indigenous and remote communities. Through the Indigenous Clean Water and Food Sustainability Initiative, the College is developing and testing innovative technologies that combine solar supported, climate-resilient infrastructure with hands-on education and applied research. This initiative focuses on creating scalable models for sustainable food production, clean water access, and remote monitoring systems designed specifically for northern and Indigenous communities.

The project integrates vertical hydroponic growing systems, rainwater harvesting and purification, digital twin technology for water infrastructure, and remote mentoring frameworks. These systems aim to build local capacity, reduce reliance on external supply chains, and empower communities with tools to support health, resilience, and self-sufficiency.

Expanding Food Sustainability with Vertical Growing Systems

The initiative has seen progressive improvements in high-yield food production. A redesigned 200 sq. ft. hydroponic grow pod has transitioned from 200 horizontal plant sites to an innovative vertical system with 2,340 grow sites – more than ten times its previous capacity. Advanced environmental controls, including an automated watering system and wireless app monitoring, allow precise nutrient and pH adjustments for optimal plant health.

Additionally, rainwater collected and processed through the Clean Water Demonstration Site will supply the grow pod’s main reservoir, creating a fully integrated, sustainable water loop. These efforts provide a hands-on learning environment for students and ensure that fresh, locally grown produce is available at the Canadore College School of Culinary Arts and through an on-campus market.

Enhancing Indigenous Water Security and Infrastructure

As part of its mission to develop community-driven clean waters solutions, the project has established a digital twin of a constructed water treatment plant using Matterport technology., This high-resolution 3D visualization allows for enhanced monitoring, analysis, and training opportunities, particularly for First Nations and remote community water operators. Additionally, the initiative has begun piloting a remote mentoring framework, enabling real-time collaboration and knowledge sharing between industry experts and Indigenous water managers.

Strengthening Indigenous and Industry Partnerships

Building relationships remains a core pillar of this initiative. Canadore College has actively engaged with Indigenous organizations, industry leaders, and technical experts through collaborations with Community Circle, the Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation (OFNTSC), and the Aboriginal Water and Wastewater Association of Ontario (AWWAO). Through participation in national discussions on decentralized water solutions and AI in rural infrastructure, the initiative continues to advocate for sustainable, community-led approaches to clean water access.

Looking Ahead

With an eye toward long-term impact, Canadore College is now exploring opportunities to scale its food sustainability model to support up to 15,000 vertical plants. The expansion of automation software, virtual reality training tools, and remote monitoring capabilities will further position this initiative as a leader in sustainable infrastructure solutions.

This progress has been made possible through generous funding over two years totalling $200,000 from RBC’s Tech for Nature Program. This support has enabled the initiative to advance real-world sustainability solutions that will benefit Indigenous communities and the environment.

Join the Conversation

Canadore College remains committed to developing innovative, community-centred sustainability solutions. To learn more about the Indigenous Clean Water and Food Sustainability Initiative or to explore opportunities for collaboration, visit https://www.canadorecollege.ca/sustainable-canadore