Welcome to Nuluaq

The Inuit Community-Based Food Initiatives Mapping Project

The Nuluaq Project aims to increase the information available on community-based initiatives that play an important role in addressing food insecurity among Canadian Inuit communities. Explore the interactive map and resources to learn more about these initiatives and Inuit food insecurity.

    Showing all Initiatives

    by Aklavik Hunters and Trappers Committee in Aklavik
    8 Categories
    by Anniumapkainiq Food Bank Committee in Gjoa Haven
    Food Banks
    by Arviat Wellness Centre in Arviat
    7 Categories
    by Inuvialuit Regional Corporation. in 5 communities.
    Other
    by Ungava Tullatavik Health Center / Nutrition in 7 communities.
    Other
    by Healthy Foods for Children and Youth Funds in 2 communities.
    Other
    by Community Garden Society of Inuvik in 6 communities.
    Greenhouses
    by Hamlet of Ulukhaktok in Ulukhaktuk
    Food Banks
    by Northwest Territories Housing Association. in Paulatuk
    Community Kitchens
    by Ikurraq Food bank and Deacons Cupboard in Rankin Inlet
    2 Categories
    by Rigolet Inuit Community Government, Cape Breton University in 3 communities.
    3 Categories
    by Inuvialuit Regional Corporation in 6 communities.
    Regional Price Monitoring Projects
    by Inuvik Hunters and Trappers Committee in Inuvik
    9 Categories
    by Kugaaruk Food bank in Kugaaruk
    Country Food Knowledge Sharing Programs
    by Hamlet of Kugluktuk in Kugluktuk
    3 Categories
    by Northern Village of Kuujjuaq in Kuujjuaq
    5 Categories
    by Northern Village of Kuujjuaq in Kuujjuaq
    Greenhouses
    by NiKigijavut Hopedalimi in Hopedale
    3 Categories
    by Nunatsiavut Government in 6 communities.
    8 Categories
    by Niqinik Nuatsivik Nunavut Food Bank in Iqaluit
    Food Banks
    by Ilitaqsiniq - Nunavut Literacy Council in Rankin Inlet
    4 Categories
    by Food First Newfoundland and Labrador and Hamlet of Baker Lake in Baker Lake
    2 Categories
    by Kativik School Board in 14 communities.
    2 Categories
    by Inuvialuit Regional Corportation in 5 communities.
    2 Categories
    by Qayuqtuvik Society in Iqaluit
    2 Categories
    by Inuvialuit Regional Corporation in 6 communities.
    School Food Programs
    by St. Timothy's Anglican Church in Pond Inlet
    2 Categories
    Showing 27 Initiatives
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    Inuit Food Insecurity in Canada

    Far too many Canadian Inuit struggle with food insecurity. Food insecurity exists when a person does not have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. This can range from not having the ability to afford a balanced diet, to not being able to eat culturally acceptable foods, to missing meals or not eating for days at a time. Food insecurity is a serious public health concern because of its close ties to a person’s well-being.

    Adults in food insecure households tend to have poorer physical and mental health, including higher rates of heart disease, diabetes and depression. Food insecurity also has very negative consequences for children’s cognitive, academic and psychosocial development. For Inuit, the impacts of food insecurity also extend to cultural well-being because of the continued importance of country foods such as seal, whale, and fish harvested from the local environment.

    Photo credit: Sara Statham

    Food Insecurity Crisis

    Food insecurity has reached crisis levels in all four Inuit regions.In one Inuit region, 70% of Inuit adults were found to be living in food insecure households. This is six times higher than the Canadian national average and represents the highest documented food insecurity prevalence rate for any Indigenous population residing in a developed country.

    Photo credit: Sara Statham

    Food Insecurity Challenges

    Food insecurity persists in Inuit communities for multiple reasons. These factors, among others, make it difficult for many Inuit to have adequate access to an acceptable amount and quality of healthy food.

    Food Costs

    Market foods, or food shipped from southern areas, tend to be very expensive in Inuit communities because of the distance the food has to travel and the higher infrastructure costs in the north.

    Perishable Foods

    Nutritious perishables are also prone to spoilage because of the shipping required to bring them into communities, which can result in poor quality products.

    Cost of Equiptment

    The cost of gas, ammunition and snowmobile can also make country food unobtainable.

    Negative Impacts

    Climate change, resource extraction and contaminants are also negatively impacting the ability for Inuit to access country food.

    A combination of approaches is needed that build on the work of initiatives at the community level up to policy and program implementation at the national level. The solutions must then in turn be informed by Inuit if they are to be meaningful and result in lasting change.