Transcript aboriginal foods presentation

Food and the Aboriginal Peoples
of Canada
History
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Modern historians believe Aboriginals arrived
in Canada 10,000-30,000 years ago from Asia.
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There are 3 main groups in Canada
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First Nations, Inuit, Metis
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53 distinct languages are spoken
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Canada's Food Guide has been translated into
4 of the most common Aboriginal languages
The 6 Distinct Cultures in Canada
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Woodlands People – hunt wild game, fish,
trap, maple syrup
Plains People – nomadic (move around),
buffalo
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People of the Plateau – salmon, wild plants
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Pacific Coast People – fish salmon
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Yukon River Basin – nomadic hunters
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Inuit – severe weather, seal, caribou, berries
and plants in summer
Eating well with Canada's Food Guide:
First Nations, Inuit and Metis
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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
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/alt_formats/fnihb-dgspni/pdf/pubs/fnim-pnim/2007_fnimpnim_food-guide-aliment-eng.pdf
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Inner
circle –
harvesting
traditional
foods
Outer
circle –
healthy
store
bought
food
available
Traditional Fruits and Vegetables
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Squash (whole and canned)
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Corn (frozen)
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Fiddleheads and wild greens
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Berries (on the branch or frozen)
Traditional Grains
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Bannock
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Wild rice
Traditional Dairy
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Not traditional, therefore nutrients found in
dairy come from:
Traditional Meats
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Beaver, caribou, rabbit, birds, moose, seal,
and deer
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Fish and shellfish
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Crab, mussels, clams, fish (whole or canned
Benefits of Traditional Foods
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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
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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:
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Obesity
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Diabetes (was rare before the 1950's)
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Heart Disease
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Dental Disease