Examining Local Food Procurement, Adaptive Capacities and Resilience to Environmental Change in Fort Providence, Northwest Territories

By exploring localized adaptation strategies for climate change, this paper aims to provide a deeper understanding of local perspectives and efforts regarding food procurement in Fort Providence, Northwest Territories (NT). The benefits and risks associated with engaging in local food procurement ac...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian Food Studies / La Revue canadienne des études sur l'alimentation
Main Authors: Paulina Paige Ross, Courtney W Mason
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
French
Published: University of Waterloo 2020
Subjects:
Food security
climate change
Indigenous peoples
rural
subarctic
Nutrition. Foods and food supply
TX341-641
Social Sciences
H
Canada
Fort Providence
Northwest Territories
Subarctic
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.15353/cfs-rcea.v7i1.373
https://doaj.org/article/e828a42244f14e059fbba9f6b2215860
Description
Summary:By exploring localized adaptation strategies for climate change, this paper aims to provide a deeper understanding of local perspectives and efforts regarding food procurement in Fort Providence, Northwest Territories (NT). The benefits and risks associated with engaging in local food procurement activities are key topics explored. Strategies to manage food insecurity and local approaches to encourage food procurement are also considered. This study was informed by Indigenous methodologies, which guided all aspects of this research. While the researchers have collaborated with community members since 2010, evidence for this study was collected during two field seasons in the spring and fall of 2018, using semi-structured interviews with Elders, land-users, and knowledgeable community members. Findings support decentralized policy developments which focus on the integration of local voices into decision-making processes and program implementation. Food policies must reflect the needs of residents at localized levels and the distinct socio-cultural and economic barriers to procuring food, and they must encourage overall community resilience and adaptive capacities to climate-related change. This research supports regional and national efforts to reduce food insecurity across northern Canada by documenting traditional knowledge concerning climate change and local food practices in Fort Providence.

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