Keshken – a Wave of First Nation Products

Over the last ten years, Aboriginal communities representing multiple First Nations in Canada have played increasingly important roles in the fishing industry. Through investments and partnerships with non-Aboriginals, these communities have acquired fishing licenses and participations in fish plants, and become involved in the transformation and distribution of sea products. In 2014, AMIK (Agence Mamu Innu Kaikusseht), a First Nation organization involved in fisheries management and conservation, created and became the owner of the KESHKEN label. Based on a book of specifications, which include social, economic, traceability and food safety criteria, the label aims at supporting Canadian First Nations in marketing their products. For the consumer, KESHKEN ensures that the products stem from and profit to Aboriginal communities, while offering a guarantee of quality through product traceability. This traceability is therefore an essential criterion of the label. It ensures a transparent and honest relationship between consumers and fishermen, while providing visibility for the communities. Future developments for KESHKEN include the addition of environmental criteria to our book of specifications, the expansion of the label to multiple First Nations throughout the country and the diversification of labeled products.