Traditional food systems research with Canadian Indigenous Peoples

Abstract

Traditional food systems research with Canadian Indigenous Peoples has revealed many aspects of benefits and risks of the use of this food. Traditions based in hunting, fishing and gathering contain a great variety of species of wildlife plants and animals that provide rich cultural and nutritional benefits. Dietary change for Indigenous Peoples in Canada has resulted in the use of traditional food to provide usually less than 30% of total dietary energy; however this portion of the total diet contributes significantly more of essential nutrients. It also results in exposure to organochlorine and heavy metal contaminants that exceed the tolerable intake levels for some areas. A successful research and education intervention program with one British Columbia community demonstrated that increasing traditional food use can improve health status for vitamin A, iron and folic acid. It is concluded that traditional food systems are rich with potential for research and public health education intervention programs for Indigenous Peoples.