NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Sahtu Settlement Area, South Slave Region

Tags: health, traditional food, nutrition, food source

Objective(s): A substantial amount of knowledge exists identifying traditional food (TF) species and parts consumed by Aboriginal people in the Western Arctic. As well, the kinds and amounts of market food (MF) are documented. Studies have reported that young women and children consume smaller amounts of TF than men and elders living in their communities, which is disturbing in view of the current knowledge about the nutritional and socio-cultural benefits of TF. Little is known about the reasons why various individuals select particular foods, and this lack of understanding restricts the success of nutrition and diet education. A greater knowledge of the decision-making process, including how contaminant information affects this process, will improve existing educational strategies for local communities. Factors influencing food choice must be understood; these factors and their relative importance can be determined with a variety of qualitative research techniques, including group workshops and interviews. Data will be processed and returned to the communities with the assistance of Dene and Metis Nation staff.

Project Description: A substantial amount of knowledge exists identifying traditional food (TF) species and parts consumed by Aboriginal people in the Western Arctic. As well, the kinds and amounts of market food (MF) are documented. Studies have reported that young women and children consume smaller amounts of TF than men and elders living in their communities, which is disturbing in view of the current knowledge about the nutritional and socio-cultural benefits of TF. Little is known about the reasons why various individuals select particular foods, and this lack of understanding restricts the success of nutrition and diet education. A greater knowledge of the decision-making process, including how contaminant information affects this process, will improve existing educational strategies for local communities. Factors influencing food choice must be understood; these factors and their relative importance can be determined with a variety of qualitative research techniques, including group workshops and interviews. A random sample of young women with school aged children will be selected to be interviewed for their food choice decisions, and school children will be asked about their daily food use. Only those individuals who are willing to participate, and who sign a consent form approved for use by Dene and Metis Nation staff, will be interviewed. All information gathered will be kept confidential. Data will be processed and returned to the communities with the assistance of Dene and Metis Nation staff.