Country Foods for Good Health

1) Country food samples were collected in 2020 and 2021 through community-based sampling in Paulatuk and Tuktoyaktuk. Sample analysis for nutrients, contaminants and zoonoses will complement data available for store-bought foods from Health Canada. Interviews will be used to record Inuvialuit Traditional Ecological Knowledge (Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit) about country foods. Communities will participate in a survey to evaluate the effectiveness of current dietary messaging. School workshops and a participatory photo and recipe project provide opportunities for youth to participate in the project. Results will be co-interpreted with communities, and local and regional partners.

2) Target knowledge users are:

3) This study will provide co-interpreted information about the Inuvialuit Food System and local perspectives on health messaging to support the co-development of dietary health messages and communication materials. The co-production of knowledge will be supported by the documentation of Inuvialuit Traditional Ecological Knowledge (Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit) of the Inuvialuit Food System and the development of nutrient, contaminant and disease profiles for Inuvialuit foods. This study responds to questions raised by Territorial Health Departments on the risks associated with consumption of beluga and/or narwhal. This research increases research capacity by hiring local research leads the communities and will foster knowledge-sharing betweenElders and youth.

4) We will develop resources that promote healthy foods that reflect Inuvialuit culture, knowledge and values. Data generated from the analysis of country foods could support future probabilistic dietary assessments for contaminant intake and will support international agreements for pollution reduction, such as the Minamata and Stockholm Conventions.