Maintaining Food Security in Elsipogtog First Nation Elisa A.M Levi Master of Public Health Candidate Lakehead University Thunder Bay, Canada Supervisor: Dr. Connie H. Nelson, Lakehead University Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. 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Abstract Food and nutrition is recognized as a key health issue in Aboriginal communities throughout Canada. The purpose of this research is to understand how a Migmag First Nation on the Atlantic coast maintains food security. Elsipogtog has a population of 2,839 residents who reside on-reserve. This Migmag First Nation was historically self-sufficient and had a strong physical and cultural connection with food. The researcher used a phenomenological research method that included participant observation, unstructured interviews and a focus group to learn about food security in Elsipogtog. Data collection for this research took place from February 2006 until September 2006. This research attempts to capture the mechanisms that are currently used at the individual, family, and community levels in Elsipogtog First Nation to maintain food security. Specifically, the two main research questions are: 1. What are the individual, family and community strategies used to maintain food security? 2. What are the barriers to maintaining food security in Elsipogtog First Nation? The major findings of this research include the need to nurture to vitality the rich cultural relationship with food that the Migmag of this community have, the need to address environmental issues, the need to share knowledge and the need to support infrastructure to enhance community food security. 11 Reproduced with permission ot the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Preface In honour o f my grandmother, Mrs. Pearline Minnie Elliott (1916-2001) 111 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Acknowledgements When I first set out to complete graduate level research, my aspiration was to engage in research with one of the First Nations’ communities that I consider home. I also had a personal desire to develop more skills and knowledge in the area of food security and qualitative research. There are many people who have been supportive in many ways throughout this experience. It is important for me to acknowledge some key people but in no particular order: • The participants who trusted and shared their stories with me. • Dr. Connie H. Nelson for her support and encouragement to stay true to phenomenological research and experience this method of research as a learner. It was a privilege to have a supervisor who was challenging, yet provided guidance, support and real perspectives based on her experiences. • My parents — Adela and Franklin Levi for always being there for me. I know they sometimes felt like they were writing a thesis too. • My Advisory Committee in Elsipogtog First Nation — for sharing their stories and supporting the research idea. • Ariel Ann Lyons — for reading and editing this thesis and her support throughout course work while I was a distance education student. I would also like to acknowledge the Indigenous Health Research Development Program, an Aboriginal Capacity and Developmental Research Environment (ACADRE) - Centre of the Institute for Aboriginal Peoples Health Research, the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation, The Chippewas of Nawash Post Secondary Unit and Ryerson's Centre for Studies in Food Security for providing financial and peer support. I would also like to acknowledge Elsipogtog Health and Wellness Centre for in-kind contributions. It is my wish that more youth from First Nations continue to pursue graduate degrees. This thesis has taken on a life of its own that I hope will extend beyond the final page. I am truly excited that I now have the opportunity to return the findings to the community of Elsipogtog and others who are interested in this important topic. I was fortunate to be the ‘gatherer of the information’. Thank-you,Che Megwetch, Oalalinl IV Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Table of Contents Abstract .................................................................................................................................................. ii Preface.................................................................................................................................................. iii Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................................. iv Table of Contents...................................................................................................................................v List of Tables................... ix 1. Introduction.........................................................................................................................................1 Purpose and Research Questions ........................................................................................... 3 Community Setting ................................................................................................................. 4 Economy and Employment.....................................................................................................6 Traditional Migmag Diet........................................................................................................8 Current Diet in Elsipogtog......................................................................................................8 2. Literature Review............................................................................................................................10 Food Security and First Nations Peoples.............................................................................10 The Relationship between Health and Food Security .........................................................13 Policies and Relationship to Food Security........................................................................ 15 Income and Food Security ....................................................................................................19 Water and Food Security ......................................................................................................21 Reclaiming Food Security: National Policies and Programming..................................... 23 First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) ......................................................... 23 Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) ...............................................................24 Public Health Agency of Canada ............................................................................... 25 Community Based Food Security Initiatives......................................................................25 Summary ................................................................................................................................ 31 3. Qualitative Research Strategy.........................................................................................................33 Role of the Researcher..........................................................................................................33 Data Collection Procedures................................................................................................. 37 Gaining Entry to the Community...................................................................................37