Indigenous food security in Canada

[1][2] A variety of factors, from poverty, the COVID-19 pandemic, government inaction and climate change, exacerbated by both historical and ongoing discrimination faced by Indigenous Canadians, have played a role in the creation of this crisis.

A November 2019 report found that 48% of First Nations households were food insecure, with provinces such as Alberta having numbers as high 60%.

Not having proper access to food can lead to a number of health issues such as low birth weights, developmental delays, depression, anxiety and suicide.

The members of this northern Ontario Indigenous community[clarification needed] stated their preference for wild meat and berries because they believe it is healthier than store-bought foods.

These types of foods can lead to a decline in physical health and this is not the preferred diet of a traditional Indigenous person.

[7] There are certain essential nutrients that are especially of concern in Indigenous diets: protein, zinc, vitamin D, iron, omega 3 fatty acids, and selenium.

There are very distinctive Indigenous cultural groups in the north including the Yukon First Nation, Dene, Metis, Gwich’in, and Inuit.

If the ice is not as strong or does not reach as far than this results in less hunting time and a lesser chance of bringing home a substantial amount of food.

The decreased ice road time also hinders the delivery of market foods and increases the price of these staples when other modes of transportation (such as flying) have to be employed.

[13] Other weather conditions such as increased winds, higher rainfall records, decreased snowfall, lack of extreme cold temperatures, increased coastal erosion, decreased animal population growth and lower fresh water levels all contribute to food insecurity in certain northern Inuit communities.