Nutrition (Inuit Food Security)

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Nutrition (Inuit Food Security) John Cheechoo
Senior Policy Advisor Department of Health and
Environment Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) Canada
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Inuit Food Security and Nutrition in Arctic Canada

• Definition of Food Security by the UN Food and
  Agriculture Organization
• Food security is a situation that exists when
  all people, at all times, have physical, social
  and economic access to sufficient, safe and
  nutritious food that meets their dietary needs
  and food preferences for an active and healthy
  life. (UN FAO 2001)

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Inuit Food Security and Nutrition in Arctic
Canada

• Traditional Foods

• Market Foods

• Traditional economy of wildlife harvesting and
  wildlife (country) food consumption
• Local access
• Culturally based
• Knowledge, skills
• Social components (trade, sharing, feasts)

• Cash economy and purchasing of market foods
  (store bought food)
• Import access (by air, or sea)
• Cash based
• Affordability varies with income levels
• Limited variety

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Inuit Food Security and Nutrition in Arctic
Canada
Country Foods whales, narwhal, caribou, fresh
water and marine fishes, musk oxen, seals, polar
bear, walrus, migratory birds, ptarmigan, shrimp,
shellfish, berries, seaweed, etc.
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Inuit Food Security and Nutrition in Arctic
Canada
Store Foods perishable fruits/veggies, breads,
eggs, fresh and canned milk, canned
meats/veggies, lard, vegetable oil, frozen
meats/veggies, frozen dinners, flour, sugar, deli
and cured meats, pasta, cheese, spices, frozen
juice, juice crystals, soft drinks, cereals,
candy, chocolate, potato chips, baking powder,
oats, baby food, ice cream, etc.
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Inuit Food Security and Nutrition in Arctic
Canada

• Country Foods

• Store Bought Foods

• Nutritionally rich
• Provides energy
• Physical benefits (hunting)
• Culturally important
• Highly preferred
• Socially beneficial
• Harvesting costs rising
• Climate change impact
• Cultural preservation
• Impact on Youth

• Food subsidy (food mail)
• Supplements diet
• Complements lifestyle
• Offers variety
• Healthy foods
• Non healthy foods
• (diabetes, heart disease, obesity)
• Higher prices (2-4 times)
• High cost of living
• High cost of business

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Opportunities for Collaboration

• Food Security in relation to Arctic and
  Circumpolar Regions and Communities
• Impacts, issues, and solutions for northern and
  remote Indigenous communities
• Share information
• Former partnerships on food security
• Hold a conference internationally

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Thank You