In her upcoming presentation, Indigenous Food Sovereignty as a Catalyst for Economic Development, Veronica Santa Fe will explore how centering Indigenous values and food sovereignty can redefine economic growth in Indigenous territories. Drawing from her roots as a Kichwa Pansaleo and Mestizo Campesino woman from Cotopaxi, Ecuador, she will share how food sovereignty enables communities to reclaim agency, prioritize cultural values, and build sustainable futures. Through examples like the traditional La Yumbada celebration of regional food exchange and the chakra agroforestry system in the Amazon, she will emphasize the deep connection between food, land, and identity.