Abstract
ObjectiveTo investigate the relationships between fish/seafood consumption patterns and food security status among First Nations (FN) communities in Canada. We estimated the contribution of fish/seafood to daily nutrient requirements. Barriers to traditional food (TF) access including fish were summarized.MethodsData were collected by the First Nations Food, Nutrition and Environment Study (2008–2018). The sample of this participatory study comprised 6258 randomly selected FN adults. Fish/seafood consumption was estimated with a food frequency questionnaire. Food security status was assessed with the Household Food Security Survey Module. The contribution of fish/seafood to protein, n-3 fatty acid, vitamin (A, B12, D, niacin) and mineral (selenium, zinc) requirements was assessed by comparison to Dietary Reference Intakes.ResultsRegional differences were observed in fish/seafood consumption patterns and their relationship with food security status. In the eastern regions (Ontario, Quebec/Labrador and the Atlantic region), consumption of fish/seafood and other TF was significantly higher among food insecure compared with food secure FN participants. Severely food insecure men (particularly in British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec/Labrador and the Atlantic region) tended to eat a higher amount of TF, including fish/seafood, compared with food secure and moderately food insecure men, while no difference was observed in women. Fish/seafood provided good sources of selected nutrients. However, the high cost of harvesting equipment, industry-related activities and climate change reduce access to fish/seafood and other wildlife.ConclusionFish/seafood continues to be vital to the diet of FN communities. Focusing on policies that support FN increased access to fish/seafood has the potential to decrease food insecurity and support sustainable livelihoods. Future policies should focus on socio-economic determinants of food insecurity and support traditional harvesting and sustainable fisheries among FN communities.
Highlights
For thousands of years, Indigenous Peoples (First Nations (FN), Métis, and Inuit) of Canada have relied on their deep understanding of the local environment and adaptive measures to live successfully off the land (Kuhnlein et al 2013a, b)
While traditional diets provide excellent sources of energy, protein, and micronutrients (Sheehy et al 2015; Blanchet et al 2020), activities involved in the acquisition, preparation and consumption of traditional food maintain a spiritual connection with nature, facilitate knowledge transfer and contribute to physical health and overall well-being of Indigenous Peoples (Egeland et al 2001; Kuhnlein et al 2013a, b)
The sampling proceeded in three stages: first, communities were randomly sampled within each of the eight Assembly of First Nations (AFN) regions; second, 100 households were randomly sampled within each selected community; and third, one adult who was self-identified as being a FN person living on-reserve and aged 19 and older was asked to participate in the study
Summary
Indigenous Peoples (First Nations (FN), Métis, and Inuit) of Canada have relied on their deep understanding of the local environment and adaptive measures to live successfully off the land (Kuhnlein et al 2013a, b). Consumption of traditional food remains fundamental to Indigenous Peoples’ cultural identity and spiritual well-being (Kuhnlein et al 2013a, b). FN represent the greatest share of the Indigenous people in Canada (58.4%) and include individuals who are members of a First Nation/Indian Band and those who are not, as well as those with and without registered or treaty Indian status under the Indian Act (Statistics Canada 2017a). Within the FN population, 744,855 (76.2%) have a registered or treaty Indian status, with 44.2% living on-reserve or in communities on Crown land. The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) recognizes 634 First Nations/Indian Bands, spread across provinces and territories in Canada (Statistics Canada 2017a)
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