Indigenous Food System Flashcards
Health Disparities Today
Indigenous peoples face health problems like:
Heart attacks (1.3-1.8 times more likely than other Canadians)
Osteoarthritis (20% more likely)
Obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and insulin resistance are common due to poor nutrition.
Generational impact: Poor nutrition can affect babies’ growth, leading to low/high birth weight.
Indigenous Relationship with Food
Before colonization: Indigenous people had a close connection with nature and were healthy and self-reliant.
Colonization: Stripped them of this relationship by taking away their land and food systems.
Today: Their knowledge and food systems are disappearing, but efforts are being made to preserve and pass them on.
Pre-contact Indigenous Foods
Before colonization, they had a rich and diverse food system:
Corn, beans, wild rice, berries, acorns, and game were staples.
Local, seasonal, and whole foods:
No processed foods, sugars, or gluten.
Healthy diet similar to the modern Canadian food guide (high in protein, fiber, and low in fat).
Traditional Indigenous Food System
Self-sufficient: They hunted, gathered, fished, and farmed with deep knowledge of the land.
No processed foods, and their food was:
Plant-based, full of grains, nuts, and seeds.
Wild rice (rich in protein and vitamins), corn, beans were essential. Game meat and fish were also important.
Traditional Indigenous Medicine
Willow bark: Pain relief.
Peppermint: Relieves stomach pain.
Raspberry tea: Helps with menstruation.
Sage: Used in spiritual practices.
Examples of Indigenous Foods
Corn: Braided and dried, symbolizing life and Mother Earth.
Beans: High in protein, used in soups, stews, and salads.
Strawberries: Sacred and used for digestive health.
Wild rice: Not rice, but a highly nutritious aquatic seed.
Cattails: Can be eaten in various parts of the plant.
Acorns: Made into flour, used for food storage.
Post-contact and Colonization Effects
Columbian Exchange: Introduced European foods (like wheat, sugar), but these were not traditional.
Colonization Impact: Land was taken, food systems were disrupted, and Indigenous peoples were forced onto reservations with limited food access.
Government-provided foods were unhealthy and caused obesity, diabetes.
Indigenous Food Sovereignty
Modern Efforts: Indigenous communities are working to reclaim traditional food systems through projects like:
Indigenous seed keepers and community gardens.
Fusion cuisine: Chefs are reintroducing traditional foods in modern dishes.
Examples of Post-contact Foods
Bannock and fry bread:
Not traditional, made from government-issued ingredients like flour and lard.
Fry bread:
contributed to health problems like diabetes.
Moving Forward
Indigenous Food Sovereignty:
Efforts to restore control over food systems and pass down knowledge.
Indigenous Chefs:
Leading the way by reintroducing traditional foods to modern kitchens (e.g., Rich Francis, Shane Chartrand).
