Hunters and researchers have identified a challenge in transporting food between Inuit communities, highlighting difficulties in cost, reliability, and effectiveness, resulting in significant food spoilage issues. Katrin Schmid, an anthropology PhD candidate at the University of Vienna, conducted interviews with individuals from various Inuit communities to investigate food transportation systems. Schmid was taken aback by the extent of food spoilage during transit, attributing it to inadequate freezer space at airports, malfunctioning community freezers, and delays in cargo handling, leading to food becoming unfit for consumption before reaching households.
She emphasized the frequent malfunctioning of freezers and fridges, stating that repairs are often delayed due to limited local repair capabilities, exacerbating the situation. Despite the high levels of food insecurity in the region, a significant amount of food is allowed to spoil. Schmid’s research, published in the academic journal “Food, Culture & Society,” delves into the relationship between transportation systems and food accessibility in Nunavut, encompassing both imported food from the south and locally harvested country food.
In discussing the sharing networks in Inuit communities, Jimmy Akavak, chair of the Amaruq Hunters and Trappers Association in Iqaluit, highlighted the long-standing tradition of sharing country food as a central aspect of Inuit culture. Families routinely exchange caribou, seal, fish, and other harvested food with relatives in different communities. As individuals relocate for employment, education, or other opportunities, these sharing networks expand, presenting logistical challenges in ensuring safe delivery of food items.
Akavak pointed out the complexities of transporting food via air cargo due to the lack of road access to communities, underscoring issues with connecting flights and limited cargo space, particularly during warmer months. Packaging challenges, such as inadequate insulation or sealing of cardboard boxes used for shipping country food, further compound the transportation difficulties.
Moreover, transportation obstacles have become more pronounced on Baffin Island following caribou hunting restrictions, prompting Nunavummiut to source caribou from other regions, including the Kivalliq region. Akavak noted the financial burden of ordering caribou, citing costs of $600-$700 per animal, inclusive of meat and air cargo expenses, with delivery times stretching to weeks. These challenges have sparked discussions in Nunavut about food sovereignty, emphasizing not only food access but also the preservation of culturally significant ingredients and traditional harvesting practices.
Schmid highlighted ongoing dialogues in Nunavut regarding food sovereignty, stressing the importance of considering the types of foods consumed beyond mere sustenance. She commended Inuit-led initiatives supporting hunters and traditional harvesting practices as proactive steps towards addressing these issues. Despite economic pressures, Akavak emphasized the continued prioritization of sharing over selling among hunters, emphasizing the belief that generosity leads to abundance and success in future hunts.