Assessing the Impacts of Climate Change on Food Security in the Canadian Arctic

©Eric Loring

foods is causing financial and nutritional problems for families. Some families cannot afford to eat; the Government of Canada has reported that 30% of Inuit children go hungry (ITK 2008). The traditional and cultural importance of hunting, fishing, and gathering activities distinguishes them from other northern residents. Country food- related activities have crucial economic and dietary importance; they are also important in maintaining social relationships and cultural identity (Nuttall et al. 2005). Food items collected from the land, sea, lakes, and rivers, continue to contribute significant amounts of protein to the total diet, and help individuals to meet or exceed daily requirements for several vitamins and essential nutrients. In some instances, they protect individuals from some types of cardiovascular disease and contaminant toxicity (Blanchet et al. 2000; Kuhnlein et al. 2000; Van Oostdam et al. 2005). Country food still makes up a large percentage of the fish and meat eaten by many northern families. In 2006, 65% of Inuit in Inuit Nunaat lived in homes where at least half of the meat and fish consumed was country food. This was more common in Nunatsiavut (79%) than in the other regions: 66% in Nunavut and the Inuvialuit Region and 59% in Nunavik. The lower figure for Nunavik could be affected by a large percentage of people who responded “don’t know” or who did not provide a response (16%).

Dietary survey work conducted throughout the North with Yukon First Nations, Dene, Métis, and Inuit communities shows the extent of use of these foods on a regular basis. In the Yukon, country food consumption contributed 50% or more of important nutrients such as protein, iron, zinc, and vitamin B12 to First Nations residents’ diets (Receveur et al. 1997). Recently, the Regional Health Survey (CYFN 2006) reported similar results with most respondents (81% of adults, 72% of youth and 65% of children). Similar results were obtained in Dene and Métis communities in the NWT where country food consumption was found to contribute 144g/day to the total diet among women and 235g/day among men (Kuhnlein and Receveur 2001). As well, on days that country foods were consumed, individuals’ diets were healthier in terms of saturated fat, sugar, and carbohydrate intake. Among Inuit residents in the NWT, Nunavut, and Nunatsiavut, similar levels of intake and contribution to nutrient and energy intake were reported. The contribution of these foods to total energy intake ranges from 6% in communities close to regional centres, up to 40% in more remote communities (Kuhnlein and Receveur, 2001). Despite their significance, northern populations are shifting away from country foods and increasing the amount of store-bought foods in their diet, as is being experienced in many other Aboriginal populations (Kuhnlein 1992; Wein and Freeman 1992). This is

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IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON FOOD SECURITY IN THE CANADIAN ARCTIC