Jessica Klinkenberg
Northern News Services
Wednesday, April 18, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - A new food guide released by Health Canada is geared towards traditional foods of the First Nations, Inuit and Metis.

Some of the foods included are bannock, berries, fish and wild game.

The new food guide was launched last Wednesday at Mildred Hall school by the federal minister of Health, Tony Clement.

"For the first time in nearly 15 years our government unveiled a new and improved version of Canada's Food Guide to healthy eating," Clement said.

He said that being healthy is important for all Canadians.

"As First Nations, Inuit and Metis people, you want to (eat healthy) in a way that embraces the most up to date nutritional science along with your rich tapestry of tradition, culture and values," said Clement.

Clement said that the food guide was meant to be used by Aboriginals to make healthier choices.

"Following this guide will help reduce the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart diseases, some types of cancer and osteoporosis."

Reanna Erasmus is the program manager of the Aboriginal Head Start Program at Mildred Hall school.

"I think it's a good way of recognizing traditional foods," she said.

Following the launch, Erasmus arranged for the minister to come upstairs and share some bannock and caribou stew with the Grade 1 students.

However, Erasmus said that the food guide doesn't solve all problems.

"(They should be) looking at food to be affordable," she said of some of the healthy choices.

She said it can be hard for some families to make the choice between a small package of berries versus a big bag of potato chips when the potato chips are typically the cheaper option.

"Politicians need to realize 'hey, we should be doing something,'" she said.

Clement said the price of food is a national problem.

"(It's up to the individual to) draw the line between food choices," said Clement. "(The government) can't be overlooking the parent while they're in the grocery store."

He said that the food guide addresses some alternatives to buying some of the more expensive foods.

In the meat portion of the food guide it reads at the top: "Have meat alternatives such as beans, lentils and tofu often."

"It's good for healthy eating," said Patrick Sangris of the food guide.

He added that he feeds his children traditional foods already, and that the food guide might be helpful.

But as to the price differences between healthy and unhealthy food Sangris said there were "no solutions."

Bobby Drygeese hunts for his wild meat himself, and said the food guide would be helpful for some.

"We do that anyway at home," Drygeese said as he looked over the recommended portion sizes for meats.

Like Sangris, Drygeese said that the cost of healthy foods at the grocery store was difficult.

"I don't know what we can do," he said.