Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Sahtu Settlement Area, South Slave Region
Tags: health, traditional food, nutrition, food source
| Principal Investigator: | Kuhnlein, Harriet V (11) |
| Licence Number: | 13234 |
| Organization: | Centre for Indigenous Peoples' Nutrition and Environment, McGill University |
| Licensed Year(s): |
2001
2000
|
| Issued: | Jul 25, 2001 |
| Project Team: | Karen Fediuk, Allison Armstrong |
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. To date, extensive dietary studies of adults in the Western Arctic have revealed the kinds and amounts of food consumed; this information is critical for the development of the project. Data will be processed and returned to the communities with the assistance of Dene Nation.
Project Description: During the second interview phase scheduled for this year, dietary data will be collected again for children aged 10-12. During this time, a random sample of young women and children in school will be interviewed for their food choice decision factors based on information gathered during phase one (Nov-Dec, 2000). A second interview phase will take place in the same communities during Sept-Oct., 2001. Data will be processed and returned to the communities with the assistance of the Dene Nation. This project will give valuable information to nutritionists working in the Western Arctic, Health Boards, the Native Women's Association (NWT), and the Health and Environment Offices of the Dene Nation.
