Gwich'in Traditional Food for Health

Regions: Gwich'in Settlement Area

Tags: health, traditional food, Gwich'in

Principal Investigator: Kuhnlein, Harriet V (11)
Licence Number: 14273
Organization: Centre for Indigenous Peoples' Nutrition and Environment, McGill University
Licensed Year(s): 2008 2007 2006 2005
Issued: Feb 05, 2008
Project Team: Bill Erasmus (Co-investigator, Assembly of First Nations), Olivier Receveur (Co-investigator, Universite de Montreal), Laurie Chan (Co-investigator, University of Northern British Colombia), Margaret McDonald (Community Advisor, Tl'oondih Healing Society), Eileen Koe (Community Advisor, Tetlit Gwich'in Council)

Objective(s): The intent of this study is to create sustainable, community-driven activities to improve diet for the Tetlit GwichÆin.

Project Description: The intent of this study is to create sustainable, community-driven activities to improve diet for the Tetlit Gwich’in. The focus is on young women and children. The questions are: can diet be improved over a 2+ year program of food-based interventions? What impact does this have on health? How can traditional food be enhanced? What can be done to improve accessibility and use of quality market food (particularly fruits, vegetables and dairy products)? What will sustainably reduce demand for low nutrient foods (e.g. pop) particularly by children? Health promotion activities have been extended through 2008 with evaluations planned for early 2009. Meetings and assessments will take place throughout 2008. Physical activity and healthy food will be encouraged, and a recipe book emphasizing traditional and healthy food will be developed. Local radio in English and Gwich’in will be used. Which activities can be sustained without a paid assistant will be determined for closure of the project. Community members will not be interviewed, but their input regarding activities will be sought. Results will be returned to the community for assistance in interpretation. A plain language summary will be prepared in English and Gwich’in. Two new project assistants from the community are employed to coordinate activities. Fieldwork will be conducted from February 05 to December 31, 2008 in Fort McPherson.