NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Gwich'in Settlement Area

Tags: social sciences, food security

Objective(s): To examine the role of country foods in the contemporary Inuit diet, including their nutritional and economic importance, and the dynamics between the country and market food dimensions of the diet.

Project Description: The objectives of this research project are: 1. to examine quantitatively, the role of country foods in the contemporary Inuit diet, including their nutritional and economic importance, and the dynamics between the country and market food dimensions of the diet; 2. to better understand market food price variations across the region and seasonal fluctuations, and examine the role of food prices in dietary quality; 3. to assess the cultural, social and environmental feasibility of incorporating new, or lesser used, wildlife species into Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR) diets; 4. to test and refine the new Food Security Assessment tool developed from Inuit Health Survey data (focused on individual and household status); 5. to develop and implement a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework for food security interventions; 6. to support the documentation of best practices in food security programming in ISR schools using a Participatory Video process; and, 7. to develop and implement a knowledge exchange platform for food security across (and beyond) the ISR. 1. Market Food Costing: In collaboration with Food Secure Canada, the research team are refining an adapted northern participatory food costing methodology. Already trained Community Researchers will continue collecting grocery store data during two time points annually to capture seasonal price fluctuations. 2. Country Food Substitution and Exchange: The research team will conduct 10-15 semi-structured interviews with harvesters to identify key species that are increasingly available, opportunities and barriers to use and substitution, opportunities for inter-community exchange or bartering for different country foods, special knowledge or skills needed for harvesting and preparation, cost of harvesting, and gaps in youth knowledge that may limit the use of these species. Data will help to inform household scenarios for the Inuit Food System Model to ensure that they are consistent with reality. 3. Participatory Testing of Inuit Food System Model: The research team are developing a holistic food system model for the ISR, drawing on a range of information and previously collected data. The team will test the food system model through a participatory discussion process with ISR members during the annual face-to-face meeting. 4. Food Security Assessment Tool: The research team used Inuit Health Survey data to develop a rapid, valid, survey-based Food Security Assessment Tool built around 4 key parameters. The team will test and refine this tool by: •Identifying a group of participants (20-25) in one community, •Administering the new 4-parameter assessment tool to all participants, •Conducting semi-structured interviews with participants to determine whether the tool accurately captures the food security status of individuals and/or households, •Refining the tool as necessary. 5. Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for Food Security Interventions The research team have developed a food security intervention Evaluation process, and plan a second phase of evaluation of a community freezer program in the ISR. This will involve two focus groups, with freezer users and non-users, respectively, to identify lessons learned. Guiding questions: 1) Do you use the community freezer? •What do you use it for? •What are the main reasons for using the community freezer? For the non users: •Why don’t you use the community freezer? 2) How can the community freezer be improved? 3) What services should a community freezer provide to the community? The research team will build on this evaluation to develop a more holistic Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework for food security-related health promotion interventions. This will include a) identifying, mapping and classifying all food security interventions in the ISR, and b) working with community and regional partners using focus groups and interviews to identify meaningful indicators and evaluation criteria. In collaboration with ISR representatives, the team will then synthesize and pilot test the framework with different types of food security interventions (e.g., harvester support, local food production, food banks). 6. School-based knowledge-sharing network: To improve skills and knowledge about food security both now and in the future, the research team will develop an inter-community knowledge-sharing network, build student capacity, and implement a mechanism to share best practices about food security programming in ISR schools using Participatory Video (PV). The research team will work with ISR schools to: •identify and engage key actors, including teachers and students; •provide in-person training in participatory video to 1-2 students from each community; •document two best practices in different ISR community schools using a Participatory Video process; •Develop and implement a dissemination strategy for sharing videos and stimulating discussion around food security across the region, including community showings, video conferencing and an online platform; and, •scale-up knowledge exchange activities to connect ISR students beyond the NWT (e.g., video conferencing with students from the University of Ottawa and other Inuit regions), thus empowering ISR student ambassadors for food security. Local participation is crucial to the success of the project. Already 11 members from 6 ISR communities are involved in the ongoing activities of the ISR Food Security Working Group. That group will continue to provide feedback and guide the research process through periodic meetings (teleconference and face-to-face). Teachers and groups of students from the 2 selected communities (where best practices will be documented), as well as 1-2 students from the other 4 ISR communities will receive training and undertake the Participatory Video component. Reports will be written and presented to the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC), and other relevant organizations at each stage of the research project. Results will also be communicated orally to the ISR Food Security Working Group on an ongoing basis (through teleconference and in-person meetings), and to community members via community meetings, where feasible. Other methods may also be used (e.g. video conferencing, poster presentations, etc.). Copies of all academic outputs (e.g., technical reports/theses, academic papers) will be shared with IRC and community contacts. After community verification, results will also be presented at academic conferences and may be used for teaching in local ISR schools. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from June 1, 2015 to November 20, 2015.