Retail store governance models in remote Indigenous communities across Canada: a media analysis

Abstract

Abstract Background In remote Indigenous communities across Canada, food insecurity is shaped by systemic inequities rooted in colonial governance structures and compounded by geographic isolation, high operational costs, limited retail competition, and small population sizes. While these material challenges are well-documented, less attention has been given to the governance of retail food systems and the ownership models that mediate access, affordability, and community control. In contrast to Australia, where Indigenous retail governance has received growing academic focus, Canadian research in this area remains sparse—despite growing public discourse and recurring media coverage. Here, we survey news articles to (1) Describe retail food governance structures and their impacts (particularly on: ownership models, community engagement, food affordability, and food accessibility) in remote Indigenous communities, focusing on community perspectives, and (2) Develop a Framework of Retail Food Models in Remote Indigenous Communities in Canada. Methods We conducted a systematic media analysis of news articles extracted from the Canadian Major Dailies database (via search string; n = 148) and Google News search (using 10 searches × 4 pages/10 results; n = 400). Using a double screening process, we applied structured inclusion and exclusion criteria to select articles that addressed the current governance structures of retail stores in remote, Indigenous communities across Canada. We used a hybrid coding approach based on four main themes: (1) store ownership models; (2) community engagement; (3) food affordability; and (4) food accessibility. We purposefully extracted direct quotes from the news articles to retain community perspectives and minimize journalistic bias. Results Of the 70 articles, 16 discussed store ownership models, 14 discussed community engagement, 22 discussed food affordability, and 18 discussed food accessibility. Findings were used to develop a Framework of Retail Food Models in Remote Indigenous Communities in Canada. Conclusions There is growing interest in Indigenous-owned grocery stores and co-ops across Canada. Many communities use Indigenous-led governance initiatives to strengthen local economies through retail food systems. While these initiatives are not widely documented in academic literature, news media offers an important source for new insights.