“Rates of food insecurity in northern Canada are significantly higher than in the rest of the country. Food security and food sovereignty continue to be shared priorities for the Government of Canada and Northern communities.
Country foods - locally harvested plants, animals and fish - are central to northern food systems and support nutrition, culture and community well‑being. In contrast to market foods, which are frequently carried over great distances, country foods are a component of local food systems and are based on Indigenous knowledge, local ecosystems, and seasonal harvesting.
Through the Country Foods and Food Security funding call, Polar Knowledge Canada (POLAR) is providing $3.8 million in funding to support 13 research projects across the Canadian Arctic that increase understanding of the health, availability and sustainability of country foods. These projects are guided by local priorities and Indigenous knowledge systems.
The results of this research will help Northerners make informed decisions to improve their access to country foods and will help support food security and food sovereignty in the North.
This funding is aligned with Science and Technology Framework (2026-2029), which emphasizes an integrated One Health approach to understanding human, animal and ecosystem health. It addresses an identified research and funding gap while complementing existing programs that support food security and sovereignty initiatives in northern Canada. These initiatives will enhance knowledge of country foods and promote evidence-based decision-making for healthier, more resilient northern communities by fusing scientific research with Indigenous knowledge systems.”
ICHR “Applying Dene Traditional Knowledge & Western Science to Berry Country Food Systems for Accessible, Sustainable, and Culturally Appropriate Northern Food Security.” NWT
Read the full release here: https://www.canada.ca/en/polar-knowledge/polar-blog-articles/country-foods.html