IKPIARJUK/ARCTIC BAY
For more than a decade, new and expectant mothers in almost every Nunavut community have brought their ulus out to the Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program's (CPNP) popular cooking classes.
In Arctic Bay, Audrey Qamanirq, a community correction officer at the hamlet office, has hosted the informative classes at the community hall and in her own home for two years.
"It's good to learn how to prepare meals that are healthy using recipes from the cookbook. Local elders also teach them how to make bannock and boiled meats and stew," she said.
Most recently with the help of assistant Lena Qaunaq and two babysitters Sheena Kilabuk and Patty Levi, Qamanirq has stepped up the classes, teaching how to prepare both southern and country food and a new unit on iron deficiency
She obtains seal and Arctic char locally and orders in caribou. Elders visit and share tips on food and traditional child rearing, breast feeding and how to make better choices when shopping for food.
"They learn how to prepare meals that are healthy for the baby and teach the food groups," Qamanirq said, adding at the end of each class moms draw names for two food bags and get to bring vegetables home. "It helps them make better choices when shopping for food."
Qamanirq said while there are fewer ladies this year due the criteria for the CPNP changing from moms with children three-years-and-under to moms with one-year-olds, but classes are still well attended.
And because there aren't many youth cooking classes, Qamanirq said she will soon start going on the radio to do a mini-show called the Nutrition Bite of the Day with 10 helpful food-for-thought tips.
Qamanirq was recently hired as co-ordinator of the youth hunting program for young men ages 15 to 25 that teaches hunting and land skills, and is also starting a kamiik making course.
"I'm always busy," she said.
The CPNP, which is funded by Health Canada and managed by the Government of Nunavut, has several goals including getting breastfeeding infants on a healthy solid food diet by six months.
"CPNP encourages women to come together in a supportive environment and learn about healthy nutrition and healthy lifestyles during and after pregnancy," according to the CPNP's website.
