Partners tackle food security
Territorial action plan is complete, but still waiting for government approval
Myles Dolphin
Northern News Services
Published Monday, February 17, 2014
NUNAVUT
A coalition group made up of roughly 30 members is planning on releasing an extensive strategy and action plan in the hopes of offsetting food insecurity across the territory.
Residents scramble to take home Arctic char and caribou at a January 2012 community feast in Qikiqtarjuaq. Country food plays a prominent role in a new territorial strategy and action plan for food security in Nunavut. - NNSL file photo |
The Nunavut Food Security Coalition, co-chaired by the Government of Nunavut's Department of Health and Social Services and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.'s (NTI) Department of Social and Cultural Development, has completed its 2013-2016 plan and hopes to release it later this year, once it receives approval from the GN.
The coalition, established in 2012, has identified six key themes around which the Nunavut Food Security and Action Plan will be centered - policy and legislation, store-bought food, local food production, life skills, programs and community initiatives and country food.
The last theme was recently featured in a report released by Action Canada Feb. 7 in which its authors argued it is important for Nunavummiut to harvest and eat more country foods.
Natan Obed, director of social and cultural development at NTI, said he welcomes the report, which gave justice to the issue and brought it to a wider audience.
"Action Canada was good enough to involve us in the discussion and invited us to Vancouver to be a part of the discussion," he said.
"Their report focuses specifically on one aspect of food security but we have a much more nuanced approach within our plan, because we're trying to tackle all issues related to food security, not just country food.
"We thought attacking each subject would bring about meaningful change in relation to enhancing food security in the territory, and country food is what people want to talk about the most."
Obed said the coalition isn't just sitting on its hands while it awaits approval from the GN.
"We've completed the plan and the final draft was done in September, but we don't have the support of the GN at this time as a member of the coalition for the release of this strategy," he said.
"We're anxiously awaiting the GN's approval of the final text because we all recognize the GN plays a central role in the way in which the plan rolls out, and we want to maintain our allegiance to all of our partners within the coalition.
"We are looking forward to implementing the action plan relating to the six key themes. But there isn't much we can do while we wait to hear from them."
The coalition plans to promote country food as a foundational food for Nunavummiut.
In Action Canada's report - titled Hunger in Nunavut: Local Food for Healthier Communities - the authors described the benefits of having a diet rich in country foods.
"Consuming even small amounts of local food has significant nutritional benefits and research has shown that those who consume traditional food have higher nutritional levels," the report reads.
Obed said the action plan will involve all residents, from the community to the national level, and he's hoping people can really get behind it.
