NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region

Tags: health, social sciences, wellness, food security

Objective(s): To study the meaning and experience of food and food security in Ulukhaktok.

Project Description: The purpose of the research is to study the meaning and experience of food and food security in Ulukhaktok. The main objectives are to: 1) document how Inuit define the concepts of "food", "food insecurity" and "health"; 2) examine patterns of country food consumption and sharing; and, 3) identify local knowledge of new species of wildlife important for subsistence. Sharing network interviews (approximately 20 minutes): will be conducted with the heads of households. Questions will involve the exchange of country food, the exchange of food from the store, sharing a meal, the exchange of money, and the exchange of labour assistance. Beluga knowledge interviews (approximately 20 minutes): will be conducted with active hunters and food preparers to identify knowledge related to beluga, including beluga biology, hunting, and meat preparation. Community partners will be involved throughout the entire research process including, project design, data collection and interpretation, report writing and sharing findings back in the community. Two community members will assist as researchers to help with data collection and analysis, and language interpretation. The research aims to develop a culturally appropriate assessment of food security, which can be communicated to decision makers so that food and wildlife management policies reflect the needs of Ulukhaktomuit. Research findings will be communicated in Ulukhaktok and elsewhere in the NWT. University researchers will work together with local researchers to develop appropriate and effective methods for communicating research results. This may include: presentations to the community and school, plain-language report with photos and key findings, and translated in Inuinnaqtun and English, updates on the local radio, and household visits to discuss the results. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from July 29, 2016 to December 31, 2016.