NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region

Tags: social sciences, agriculture, food, nutrition

Objective(s): To understand and describe the disconnect that Arctic communities have regarding their food sources, to understand the current existence of community agriculture practices in Nunavut and the NWT, and to identify best practices to increasing overall success of existing greenhouses.

Project Description: This research has the goal of examining whether or not it is feasible to apply the concept of community agriculture in the Canadian Arctic as a means of promoting environmental thinking, good nutrition, public health and community welfare. The objectives of this research are the following: to understand and describe the disconnect that Arctic communities have regarding their food sources, to understand the current existence of community agriculture practices in the NWT and Nunavut, and to identify best practices to increasing overall success of existing greenhouses. Site visits will be conducted of two existing greenhouses in the Canadian Arctic: the Inuvik Community Greenhouse and the Iqaluit Greenhouse Society. Key informant interviews will be conducted in order to gather additional primary information. These interviews will be conducted with involved community members including organizers, members, and volunteers of the greenhouses, educators who either already use the greenhouse for teaching or who would like to, and additional community members who may not be involved in the greenhouses’ activities. Open ended questions will be asked in order to gather as much information as possible and to keep the interviews informal, yet objective and focused. The research will result in a best practices framework or model for community agriculture in the Canadian Arctic. The two greenhouses the researcher plans to visit will directly benefit from the research. Recommendations generated from the research and interviews will be provided. They will have the opportunity to learn from similar agricultural activities for the purpose of improving their operations and further increasing their productivity. The greenhouses will be learning how to increase their productivity and yield, it is expected that there will be more available produce that can be sold to the broader community. It is anticipated that the strengthening of these greenhouse programs will lead to opportunities for further community engagement and education programs. For example, with the cooperation of the greenhouse’s outreach committee, it is feasible to have gardening workshops for elders who have never had the chance to grow food before. Equally, there is the possibility of having school groups and summer camps learn about how their food is grown in an experiential educational environment rather than just buying it at the grocery store. Through the strengthening of the greenhouses, these communities will become more self-sufficient with their food sources, which will enhance sustainability. Once the results are obtained, the researcher will be following up with the study participants at the Inuvik Community Greenhouse to share results and any suggestions for improving their operations. With the help of them and the local municipality office, the researcher plans to share results with other communities in the NWT who might be interested in starting their own greenhouse. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from July 9, 2010 to July 28, 2010.