Food and the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada

History Modern historians believe Aboriginals arrived in Canada 10,000-30,000 years ago from Asia. There are 3 main groups in Canada First Nations, Inuit, Metis 53 distinct languages are spoken Canada's Food Guide has been translated into 4 of the most common Aboriginal languages

The 6 Distinct Cultures in Canada Woodlands People – hunt wild game, fish, trap, maple syrup Plains People – nomadic (move around), buffalo People of the Plateau – salmon, wild plants Pacific Coast People – fish salmon Yukon River Basin – nomadic hunters Inuit – severe weather, seal, caribou, berries and plants in summer

Eating well with Canada's Food Guide: First Nations, Inuit and Metis food guide tailored to reflect traditions and food choices of First Nations, Inuit and Métis, reflects values and traditions such as food as a link to the land, to family and community and as an element of spirituality uses a circle instead of a rainbow as the circle is important in aboriginal culture as a symbol of balance and the cycle of life pnim_food-guide-aliment-eng.pdf

Inner circle – harvesting traditional foods Outer circle – healthy store bought food available

Traditional Fruits and Vegetables Squash (whole and canned) Corn (frozen) Fiddleheads and wild greens Berries (on the branch or frozen)

Traditional Grains Bannock Wild rice

Traditional Dairy Not traditional, therefore nutrients found in dairy come from:

Traditional Meats Beaver, caribou, rabbit, birds, moose, seal, and deer Fish and shellfish Crab, mussels, clams, fish (whole or canned

Benefits of Traditional Foods traditional foods have less fat, salt and sugar than many store-bought foods they have essential nutrients that are needed for good health during harvesting, people are being physically active the spiritual and cultural importance of harvesting and eating traditional foods

Food Issues faced by Aboriginals In many cases, Aboriginal people no longer have access to traditional foods Fresh foods such as dairy and produce cost a lot in stores as they have to be flown in New problems that previously did not exist: Obesity Diabetes (was rare before the 1950's) Heart Disease Dental Disease