Strategy on food security unveiled
Partners committed to carrying out items on action plan
Miranda Scotland
Northern News Services
Published Monday, May 12, 2014
IQALUIT
Years of discussions and planning have culminated in the creation of a strategy and a three-year action plan to combat food insecurity in Nunavut.
Imoma Oopakak enjoys a bowl of seal meat during a community feast, which followed the launch of the Nunavut Food Security Strategy and Action Plan May 5 at Inuksuk High School. - Miranda Scotland/NNSL photo |
The Nunavut Food Security Coalition, made up of 30 organizations and government departments, has committed to carrying out nearly 70 actions to reduce hunger in the territory.
The tasks fall under six themes - country food, store-bought food, local food, life skills, program and community initiative, and policy and legislation.
The smell of fish permeated the air as Okalik Eeegeesiak, president of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, and Premier Peter Taptuna shared their excitement over the release of the 22-page document May 5 at Inuksuk High School.
"We recognize there is so much work that lies ahead," Taptuna told the room, noting food insecurity among Inuit households in Nunavut is eight times higher than the national average.
"Through the coalition, we're making progress in addressing the challenge."
The work will be funded, in part, with money from a contribution agreement with Health Canada, which lasts five years. After that, the coalition will aim to renew the agreement while also looking for other funding opportunities.
Natan Obed, director of social and cultural development for Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, wants residents to know the coalition is giving equal weight to each of the themes.
Everyone always wants to talk about expanding access to country food, but it isn't the only area of importance, he said.
"Most people get the majority of their food from the store. So store-bought food and local food production and policies and programs, those things are just as important as ensuring country food is available and it's harvested in a sustainable manor," said Obed.
"We're looking at this from a societal perspective and the realities that people face, not just the things that may be more interesting."
Food insecurity has been a concern among Nunavummiut for years, but the issue has gained more visibility recently.
Iqaluit resident Leesee Papatsie is partly responsible for bringing the issue of affordable food into the spotlight by organizing protests and forming the Feeding my Family Facebook group, which has more than 20,000 members.
Papatsie said she's impressed with the number of organizations involved in the creation of the Nunavut Food Security strategy and action plan. A stand-alone strategy wouldn't work, she added.
Papatsie also commended the coalition for creating a strategy that starts with the basics and lays the groundwork for change.
"It's not jumping over a loophole," she said. "I like the life skills part because that's what is needed ... Where Inuit live today is totally different than 50 years ago. We have to get used to this lifestyle and education is a big part of it."
Perhaps the coalition's work will inspire more Nunavummiut to step up and find their own ways to combat the issue, she added.
Residents don't have to rely on the government for change.
"I totally believe each one of us can make a difference. I totally believe in that and that we can do our own part. Let's not wait for something to happen. Let's make it move on our own."
The strategy and action plan can be found on Nunavut's Health Department website.
A summary of the Nunavut Food Security action plan
Country food
- Support harvesters and make improvements to community infrastructure used to store, prepare and share food grown or caught locally.
- Review and promote existing harvester support programs.
- Explore sustainable commercialization of country food.
- Grow access to local food by supporting programs that promote the development of new products or industry. For example, support exploratory fisheries to investigate the viability of new commercial species, including clams, urchins, scallops and crabs.
Store-bought food
- Promote healthy food choices and find ways to increase healthy food options in stores.
- Develop and implement a territory-wide price survey in order to regularly compare food prices in Nunavut communities over time.
- Look at ways to reduce costs of store-bought foods and eliminate inefficiencies in the food supply chain.
Local food
- Investigate the cost-benefit of Northern food production.
- Support Nunavummiut in growing their own food through funding opportunities and sharing information.
Life skills
- Incorporate life skills into education, such as in adult basic education courses.
- Launch a healthy living website.
Program and community initiative
- Revisit existing nutrition programs and determine ways to enhance them.
- Create literature on how to access funding for community programs and guides on programming ideas.
- Push for the creation of community food centres.
Policy and legislation
- Align income assistance food allowances with the cost of living in Nunavut.
- Consider implementing policy and legislative measures that will provide adequate incomes for Nunavummiut and reduce disincentives to engage in wage-based activities.
Source: Nunavut Food Security Strategy and Action Plan
