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NUNAVUT
Ensuring children have breakfast and access to hunting were added to a list of suggestions on how poverty can be reduced in Nunavut at the last of sessions leading to the development of the territory's proposed poverty reduction action plan.

"There would be days where we would go without eating," said Lucy Burke, women's co-ordinator with the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, speaking from her own personal experience.

She said if she did get to eat at all she would get a small breakfast.

The last of the regional roundtables was held in Iqaluit from June 22 to June 24. About 30 people provided more feedback on what is needed to help reduce Nunavut's high poverty rates.

At one workshop, participants were given the definition of what food insecurity is and then asked what can be done to change the situation.

Territorial nutritionist Jennifer Wakegijig said it is when people don't have enough access to healthy affordable foods.

"It is when you are feeding your kids first," she said.

Whatever the circumstances, Wakegijig said 70 per cent of children in Nunavut ages three to five live in food-insecure homes. The rates across the country are much lower.

In a study done in one community in the territory in 2008, it was found the average woman spent $94 on food in a week. About $32 of this was spent on pop.

"The choices we make could make us food insecure," she said.

Suggestions given were to increase community partnerships, to better communicate what existing resources are available, community lunches and cooking classes.

Many participants said they want to ensure all Nunavummiut have equal access to country food.

Participant Geoff Ryan said more community hunts, fishing trips and berry picking outings should be organized.

It also was suggested the younger generation might not have the knowledge needed for such activities.

"There needs to be programs to teach young people to hunt as some people don't know how and they don't know how to use the equipment or have it, said participant Attattuaq Kiah Hachey.

Getting community freezers in place and organizing more community feasts as well as working with the local hunter and trappers' organization would also help, said Elisapi Aningmiuk, program co-ordinator of Iqaluit's Tukisigiarvik Centre.

All the comments will be combined and shared at a territory-wide poverty summit Nov. 28 - Nov. 30 in Iqaluit.

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