Traditional food attributes must be included in studies of food security in the Canadian Arctic

OBJECTIVES: The objective was to explore some typically understudied characteristics of food security in Arctic Canada: observed changes to traditional food systems, perceived advantages and health benefits of traditional food and traditional food preferences. STUDY DESIGN: Data analysis used a cross-sectional survey of Yukon First Nations, Dene/Métis and Inuit women in 44 Arctic communities. METHODS: Open-ended responses to 4 questions were used to qualitatively investigate roles traditional foods play in Arctic food security. Chi-square tests were applied to responses to ascertain differences by age and region. A fifth question explored agreement with cultural responses to harvesting and using traditional food. RESULTS: Traditional food was regarded as natural and fresh, tasty, healthy and nutritious, inexpensive, and socially and culturally beneficial. Between 10% and 38% of participants noticed recent changes in the quality or health of traditional food species, with physical changes and decreasing availability being reported most often. Caribou, moose and seal were among the foods considered particularly healthy and held special values in these populations. The opinion that all traditional food was healthy was also popular. More than 85%, of participants agreed with most cultural attributes of traditional food. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that traditional food remains important to Arctic indigenous women and that food security in the Arctic is contingent upon access to these foods.