The impacts of the Nutrition North Canada program on the accessibility and affordability of perishable, nutritious foods among eligible communities: a scoping review

The Nutrition North Canada (NNC) program, introduced in April 2011 is a federal strategy to improve access to perishable, nutritious foods for remote and isolated communities in northern Canada by subsidising retailers to provide price reductions at the point of purchase. As of March 2023, 123 communities are eligible for the program. To evaluate existing evidence and research on the NNC program to inform policy decisions to improve the effectiveness of NNC. A scoping review of peer-reviewed articles was conducted in ten databases along with a supplemental grey literature search of government and non-government reports published between 2011 and 2022. The search yielded 172 publications for screening, of which 42 were included in the analysis. Narrative thematic evidence synthesis yielded 104 critiques and 341 recommendations of the NNC program across eight themes. The most-identified recommendations focus on transparency, communication, and support for harvesting, hunting, and community food initiatives. This review highlights recommendations informed by the literature to address critiques of the NNC program to improve food security, increase access to perishable and non-perishable items, and support community-based food initiatives among eligible communities. The review also identifies priority areas for future policy directions such as additional support for education initiatives, communication and transparency amidst program changes, and food price regulations.

Scale up of the learning circles: a participatory action approach to support local food systems in four diverse First Nations school communities within Canada

BACKGROUND

Addressing Indigenous food security and food sovereignty calls for community-driven strategies to improve access to and availability of traditional and local food. Participatory approaches that integrate Indigenous leadership have supported successful program implementation. Learning Circles: Local Healthy Food to School is a participatory program that convenes a range of stakeholders including food producers, educators and Knowledge Keepers to plan, implement and monitor local food system action. Pilot work (2014-2015) in Haida Gwaii, British Columbia (BC), showed promising results of the Learning Circles (LC) approach in enhancing local and traditional food access, knowledge and skills among youth and adolescents. The objective of the current evaluation was therefore to examine the process of scaling-up the LC vertically within the Haida Nation; and horizontally across three diverse First Nations contexts: Gitxsan Nation, Hazelton /Upper Skeena, BC; Ministikwan Lake Cree Nation, Saskatchewan; and Black River First Nation, Manitoba between 2016 and 2019.

METHODS

An implementation science framework, Foster-Fishman and Watson's (2012) ABLe Change Framework, was used to understand the LC as a participatory approach to facilitate community capacity building to strengthen local food systems. Interviews (n = 52), meeting summaries (n = 44) and tracking sheets (n = 39) were thematically analyzed.

RESULTS

The LC facilitated a collaborative process to: (1) build on strengths and explore ways to increase readiness and capacity to reclaim traditional and local food systems; (2) strengthen connections to land, traditional knowledge and ways of life; (3) foster community-level action and multi-sector partnerships; (4) drive actions towards decolonization through revitalization of traditional foods; (5) improve availability of and appreciation for local healthy and traditional foods in school communities; and (6) promote holistic wellness through steps towards food sovereignty and food security. Scale-up within Haida Gwaii supported a growing, robust local and traditional food system and enhanced Haida leadership. The approach worked well in other First Nations contexts, though baseline capacity and the presence of champions were enabling factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings highlight LC as a participatory approach to build capacity and support iterative planning-to-action in community food systems. Identified strengths and challenges support opportunities to expand, adopt and modify the LC approach in other Indigenous communities with diverse food systems.

The role of sovereignty in Indigenous community-based health interventions: A qualitative metasynthesis

Indigenous peoples around the world suffer from health disparities attributed to a plethora of risk factors and social determinants of health stemming from colonialism and systemic oppression. Community-based health interventions have been identified as a means for addressing and reducing Indigenous health disparities by allowing for Indigenous sovereignty to be respected and centered. However, sovereignty relating to Indigenous health and well-being is underresearched. The present article explores the role of sovereignty in Indigenous community-based health interventions. A qualitative metasynthesis was conducted among 14 primary research studies co-authored by Indigenous people describing and evaluating Indigenous community-based health interventions. Five conceptual themes emerged as aspects of sovereignty which benefit Indigenous health and well-being outcomes: integration of culture; relocation of knowledge; connectedness; self-actualization; and stewardship. Implications are discussed, with the goal of creating a decolonial framework rooted in Indigenous epistemologies and perspectives for how sovereignty impacts Indigenous health, as well as strengthening a clear need for further research on and praxis of sovereignty in Indigenous healthcare.

Impacts of colonization on Indigenous food systems in Canada and the United States: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Indigenous populations in Canada and the United States (US) have maintained reciprocal relationships with nature, grounded in respect for and stewardship of the environment; however, disconnection from traditional food systems has generated a plethora of physical and mental health challenges for communities. Indigenous food sovereignty including control of lands were found to be factors contributing to these concerns. Therefore, our aim was to conduct a scoping review of the peer-reviewed literature to describe Indigenous disconnection from Indigenous food systems (IFS) in Canada and the US.

METHODS

Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-SR) and Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines, we searched MEDLINE, SCOPUS, International Bibliography of the Social Sciences, Sociological Abstracts, and Bibliography of Native North Americans. Data was extracted from 41 studies and a narrative review completed based on study themes.

RESULTS

The overarching theme identified in the included studies was the impact of colonization on IFS. Four sub-themes emerged as causes for Indigenous disconnection from traditional food systems, including: climate change; capitalism; legal change; and socio-cultural change. These sub-themes highlight the multiple ways in which colonization has impacted Indigenous food systems in Canada and the US and important areas for transformation.

CONCLUSIONS

Efforts to reconnect Indigenous knowledge and values systems with future food systems are essential for planetary health and sustainable development. Traditional knowledge sharing must foreground authentic Indigenous inclusion within policymaking.

Elements of Successful Food Sovereignty Interventions within Indigenous Communities in the United States and Canada: a Systematic Review

Despite inherent resiliency and strengths, Indigenous Peoples in the United States and Canada have been impacted by colonialism, which has led to a loss of land, culture, and identity. Loss of land in particular has had substantial impacts on Indigenous food system practices. Indigenous food sovereignty (IFS) has been determined to be a mechanism for Indigenous communities to build their capacity to address food insecurity. A systematic review methodology was therefore engaged to gather and analyze the currently published literature to date to identify common elements of successful IFS interventions within Indigenous communities in the United States and Canada. We carried out a systematic search of the following electronic databases: Academic Search Premier, Agricola, PubMed, CINAHL Complete, Indigenous Studies Portal, the Native Health Database, SocIndex, PsycInfo, and Google Scholar. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used to apply a methodologic quality score to the included articles. We used a 2-stage process for article selection with 2 independent reviewers screening the titles and abstracts of articles identified. Relevant databases were initially searched up to June 2022 with an updated search occurring in January 2023. Content analysis was carried out on the included articles using qualitative analysis software. Twenty articles met the inclusion criteria of the review. Four main categories of successful elements within IFS interventions were identified, including 1) transmission of knowledge and skills within the community through workshops, 2) cultural connectedness through cultivation practices, 3) preparation and consumption of traditional foods through community programs, and 4) community-based partnerships and collaborations. An IFS approach has led to the development of several intervention strategies within Indigenous communities, which have been highlighted in this review. The successful elements identified in this review may serve to support future food sovereignty-related programmatic and intervention development within Indigenous communities. PROSPERO (number: CRD42022342100).

Integrating knowledge and action: learnings from an implementation program for food security and food sovereignty with First Nations communities within Canada

BACKGROUND

Collaborative approaches to knowledge translation (KT) are important for advancing community-engaged research. However, there is a need for examples of participatory approaches that have effectively supported public health research, program development, and implementation with First Nations communities. To strengthen KT with communities, we proposed a set of guiding principles for participatory planning and action for local food system change. Principles emerged from a cross-community analysis of Learning Circles: Local Healthy Food to School (LC:LHF2S) a participatory program (2015-2019) for Indigenous food system action. The objective was to identify guiding principles for participatory planning and action from key learnings and successes on scaling-up of the Learning Circles (LC) model vertically in Haida Nation, British Columbia (BC), and horizontally in three distinct community contexts: Gitxsan Nation, Hazelton /Upper Skeena, BC; Ministikwan Lake. The application of these principles is discussed in the context of our ongoing partnership with Williams Treaties First Nations to support community planning to enhance food security and sovereignty.

METHODS

A cross-community thematic analysis was conducted and guided by an implementation science framework, Foster-Fishman and Watson's (2012) ABLe Change Framework, to identify key learnings and successes from adapting the LC approach. Information gathered from interviews (n = 55) and meeting reports (n = 37) was thematically analyzed to inform the development of guiding principles. Community sense-making of findings informed applicability in a new community context embarking on food systems work.

RESULTS

Emergent guiding principles for participatory food system planning and action are described within four main areas: (1) create safe and ethical spaces for dialog by establishing trust and commitment from the ground up, (2) understand the context for change through community engagement, (3) foster relationships to strengthen and sustain impact, and (4) reflect and embrace program flexibility to integrate learnings.

CONCLUSIONS

Emergent principles offer guidance to supporting Indigenous community-led research and mobilization of knowledge into action. Principles are intended to support researchers and health system administrators with taking a collaborative approach that fosters relationships and integration of community leadership, knowledge, and action for food system change. Application of principles with implementation frameworks can strengthen KT in Indigenous contexts by incorporating community protocols and perspectives in support of Indigenous self-determined priorities.

"Where Creator Has My Feet, There I Will Be Responsible": Place-Making in Urban Environments through Indigenous Food Sovereignty Initiatives

There is a growing emergence of Indigenous Food Sovereignty (IFS) initiatives across urban centers within many regions of Canada. Urban Indigenous communities are leading these efforts to revitalize Indigenous foods and agricultural practices while promoting food security and increasing Land-based connections within cities. However, the socio-ecological environments within these urban contexts affect IFS initiatives in unique ways which have not been previously explored. This study addresses these gaps by drawing on qualitative interviews with seven urban Indigenous people leading IFS initiatives within Grand River Territory (situated within southern Ontario, Canada). Applying community-based participatory methods, this research explored how place impacts IFS initiatives within urban environments. Thematic analysis generated two overarching thematic categories: Land access, and place-making practices, revealing a bi-directional, dynamic interaction between place and urban IFS initiatives. Relationships with landowners, control of land, and external factors determined how Land was accessed in urban environments. Place-making practices involved fostering relationships with Land, upholding responsibilities, and cultivating Land-based knowledges. Therefore, IFS initiatives are impacted by Land access, but also facilitate place-making for urban Indigenous Peoples. These findings demonstrate pathways towards Indigenous self-determination and IFS within urban contexts, which can be applicable to other urban Indigenous communities.

Soberanía alimentaria y salud: perspectivas de tres pueblos indígenas de Colombia

La soberanía alimentaria es el derecho colectivo a decidir sobre la producción, distribución y consumo de alimentos, promueve la generación de suministros alimenticios para el consumo local, de tal forma que los consumidores queden resguardados de la volatilidad de los precios de mercados internacionales. En los pueblos indígenas esta tendencia resulta trascendental para hacer frente a condiciones de inequidad histórica que han impactado negativamente su salud pública. No obstante, es ignorada en algunos casos y en otros reemplazada por nociones centradas en la seguridad alimentaria, término alineado con políticas transnacionales derivadas del modelo económico dominante. Objetivo: analizar con tres comunidades indígenas de Colombia las perspectivas de soberanía alimentaria y su influencia en la salud. Método: investigación participativa basada en comunidad que recolectó datos mediante grupos de discusión, entrevistas y observación. La población de estudio fueron tres comunidades indígenas del sur de Colombia. La selección de participantes se realizó según su trayectoria en la comunidad. Resultados: las comunidades entienden la soberanía alimentaria como la conservación de semillas nativas y alimentos propios, vista como oportunidad para el cuidado de la salud. Su debilitamiento se relaciona con el desarrollo de enfermedades de las personas y de la madre tierra. Para su fortalecimiento identificaron el tul, el yatul y la chagra (huertas) que reafirman la unión familiar, contribuyen a la recuperación de modos de producción desde la sabiduría ancestral y se posicionan como alternativa para la sostenibilidad económica. Conclusión: la soberanía alimentaria conserva los saberes y prácticas tradicionales para una alimentación propia, debilitada por los sistemas agroindustriales. Es asumida como iniciativa local suscrita en un proyecto global de resistencia política y económica para la salud colectiva de los pueblos.

Why and How to Strengthen Indigenous Peoples' Food Systems With Examples From Two Unique Indigenous Communities

Indigenous Peoples' food systems contain extensive and sophisticated knowledge that is often undocumented and underutilized in contemporary society that has increasingly poor nutrition and loss of food biodiversity. Indigenous Peoples in all global regions are among the most vulnerable to marginalization, food insecurity and chronic disease and will benefit greatly from strengthening their resource-rich food systems to make them more resilient and sustainable. It is in this spirit that we contribute to the databases of Indigenous Peoples' food system knowledge with information on unique traditional foods from the Nuxalk Nation in British Columbia, Canada, and the Pwo Karen People of Sanephong Community, Thailand. Several publications from these case studies originated from interdisciplinary mixed-method research, in part through the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. We highlight selected foods with nutrient data and various qualitative and quantitative methods used to identify and promote their use within these unique communities. Our intent is to stimulate complementary strengthening efforts among other traditional and Indigenous Peoples that will contribute to global intercultural food system evidence and advances.

Relationality, Responsibility and Reciprocity: Cultivating Indigenous Food Sovereignty within Urban Environments

There are collective movements of Indigenous food sovereignty (IFS) initiatives taking up place and space within urban environments across the Grand River Territory, within southern Ontario, Canada. Indigenous Peoples living within urban centres are often displaced from their home territories and are seeking opportunities to reconnect with culture and identity through Land and food. This research was guided by Indigenous research methodologies and applied community-based participatory research to highlight experiences from seven Indigenous community members engaged in IFS programming and practice. Thematic analysis revealed four inter-related themes illustrated by a conceptual model: Land-based knowledge and relationships; Land and food-based practices; relational principles; and place. Participants engaged in five Land and food-based practices (seed saving; growing and gathering food; hunting and fishing; processing and preserving food; and sharing and distributing), guided by three relational principles (responsibility, relationality, and reciprocity), framed by the social and physical environments of the place. Key findings revealed that employing self-determined processes to grow, harvest, and share food among the Indigenous community provide pathways towards IFS. This study is the first to explore urban IFS initiatives within this region, offering a novel understanding of how these initiatives are taking shape within urban environments.

"Learning Circles: An Adaptive Strategy to Support Food Sovereignty Among First Nations Communities in Canada"

Indigenous communities in Canada are concerned about the health of their youth and the reclamation of traditional food-related skills among their people. Food sovereignty has an integral role in food and nutrition security, and the path to Indigenous self-determination. Learning Circles: Local Healthy Food to School was a community engagement model that aimed to enhance access to local, healthy and traditional foods for youth. In each of four First Nations communities, a Learning Circle Evaluation Facilitator worked to plan and implement activities, build on community strengths and promote partnerships. This paper describes how the model was perceived to support food sovereignty. Data included interviews, process reporting and school surveys, and was analysed according to pillars effective for the development of food sovereignty in Indigenous communities. Goals set by two communities incorporated food sovereignty principles, and in each community capacity-building work furthered the development of a more autonomous food system. There were many examples of a transition to greater food sovereignty, local food production and consumption. Indigenous governance was an important theme and was influential in a community's success. The model appears to be an adaptable strategy to support the development of food sovereignty in First Nations communities. Novelty: LC:LHF2S was a community engagement model that aimed to enhance access to local, healthy and traditional foods for youth. The model is an adaptable strategy to support the development of food sovereignty in First Nations communities. There were many examples of a transition to greater food sovereignty, local food production and consumption.

The Food Equity and Environmental Data Sovereignty (FEEDS) Project: Protocol for a Quasi-Experimental Study Evaluating a Digital Platform for Climate Change Preparedness

Background

Despite having the tools at our disposal to enable an adequate food supply for all people, inequities in food acquisition, distribution, and most importantly, food sovereignty, worsen food insecurity. The detrimental impact of climate change on food systems and mental health is further exacerbated by a lack of food sovereignty. We urgently require innovative solutions to enable food sovereignty, minimize food insecurity, and address climate change–related mental distress (ie, solastalgia). Indigenous communities have a wealth of Traditional Knowledge for climate change adaptation and preparedness to strengthen food systems. Traditional Knowledge combined with Western methods can revolutionize ethical data collection, engagement, and knowledge mobilization.

Objective

The Food Equity and Environmental Data Sovereignty (FEEDS) Project takes a participatory action, citizen science approach for early detection and warning of climate change impacts on food sovereignty, food security, and solastalgia. The aim of this project is to develop and implement a sustainable digital platform that enables real-time decision-making to mitigate climate change–related impacts on food systems and mental well-being.

Methods

Citizen science enables citizens to actively contribute to all aspects of the research process. The FEEDS Project is being implemented in five phases: participatory project planning, digital climate change platform customization, community-led evaluation, digital platform and project refinement, and integrated knowledge translation. The project is governed by a Citizen Scientist Advisory Council comprising Elders, Traditional Knowledge Keepers, key community decision makers, youth, and FEEDS Project researchers. The Council governs all phases of the project, including coconceptualizing a climate change platform, which consists of a smartphone app and a digital decision-making dashboard. Apart from capturing environmental and health-related big data (eg, weather, permafrost degradation, fire hazards, and human movement), the custom-built app uses artificial intelligence to engage and enable citizens to report on environmental hazards, changes in biodiversity or wildlife, and related food and mental health issues in their communities. The app provides citizens with valuable information to mitigate health-related risks and relays big data in real time to a digital dashboard.

Results

This project is currently in phase 1, with the subarctic Métis jurisdiction of Île-à-la-Crosse, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Conclusions

The FEEDS Project facilitates Indigenous Peoples’ self-determination, governance, and data sovereignty. All citizen data are anonymous and encrypted, and communities have ownership, access, control, and possession of their data. The digital dashboard system provides decision makers with real-time data, thereby increasing the capacity to self-govern. The participatory action research approach, combined with digital citizen science, advances the cocreation of knowledge and multidisciplinary collaboration in the digital age. Given the urgency of climate change, leveraging technology provides communities with tools to respond to existing and emerging crises in a timely manner, as well as scientific evidence regarding the urgency of current health and environmental issues.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

PRR1-10.2196/31389

First Nations households living on-reserve experience food insecurity: prevalence and predictors among ninety-two First Nations communities across Canada

OBJECTIVE

To describe the prevalence of food insecurity in First Nations households across Canada while identifying barriers and enablers to traditional food (TF) consumption.

METHODS

The First Nations Food, Nutrition and Environment Study is a cross-Canada participatory study of on-reserve First Nations from 2008 to 2018. The Household Food Security Survey Module was used to capture income-related challenges experienced by First Nations households. Households were classified as food secure, or marginally, moderately, or severely food insecure. Barriers and enablers to TF access and use were identified describing the Indigenous experience.

RESULTS

Almost half of on-reserve First Nations households were food insecure and the prevalence was higher than that for non-Indigenous households in Canada. On-reserve food insecurity prevalence was higher in western regions of Canada. First Nations households with children experienced greater food insecurity than those without children. More adults experienced severe food insecurity than children. Most adults would like to have more TF in their diet but state that factors such as financial and household constraints, industrial activities, government regulations, climate change, and fear of contamination impede greater access. Food costs were substantially higher in remote First Nations communities, but remoteness was not associated with food security in multivariable analysis.

CONCLUSION

Existing systems have been unsuccessful in curbing the food insecurity in First Nations households. Improving food security hinges on achieving Indigenous Food Sovereignty, the key to long-term conservation and stewardship of the land and the co-management of these by Indigenous Peoples. Studies investigating the feasibility of increasing TF from an Indigenous perspective are required.

Food Profiles of Indigenous Households in Brazil: Results of the First National Survey of Indigenous Peoples' Health and Nutrition

The objective of the present study was to characterize the food profiles in Indigenous households participating in the First National Survey of Indigenous People's Health and Nutrition in Brazil. Multiple correspondence analysis was used to estimate distances between regions and foods from three sources (local Indigenous production, purchased, and external donation), in addition to "not consumed." The combined distribution of the first two dimensions revealed three distinct profiles of food acquisition. Observed proximities between geopolitical regions and distinct modes of food acquisition speak to regional contrasts in food sovereignty among the Indigenous population that are closely linked to historical occupation and economic expansion in the country. Considering the concept of food sovereignty as involving rights to dietary autonomy, healthy diets, and resource management, our data suggest Brazil's North region is the closest of the four regions analyzed to these goals. Food sovereignty in the Northeast and South/Southeast regions is reduced due to greater monetarization and proximity to market economy resources. The advance of agribusiness in the Amazon has been a hallmark of the Brazilian government's current environmental policy, directly threatening the survival of Indigenous peoples living in that region.