Niqivut Silalu Asijjipalliajuq
Documenting and sharing Inuit country food knowledge in Nunavut
Country Food & Food Sovereignty
Our research collective recognizes country food as a foundational food source for Nunavummiut. “Food sovereignty” is a term that describes the importance of having accesss to food that a person wants to eat, and food that is important and meaningful to one’s culture and way of life. The Qikiqtani Inuit Association describes food sovereignty as supporting “culturally and community-minded approaches to food….(that) incorporates Inuit knowledge, language, culture continuity and community self-sufficiency”.
The Niqivut Project
Our research team focuses on good nutrition, country food, climate change, and food sovereignty to support community health and wellbeing. We document and share Inuit knowledge and skills to support country food use in Nunavut. We talk about using all parts of an animal for food, using country food as medicine, and using healthy food to support physical and mental health. The “Niqivut Silalu Asijjipalliajuq (NSAP): Our Food and Climate Change” research program is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
Our Project in Our Words
Our Research
We share research on country food preparation, preservation and use, as well community climate change observations and perspectives.
Our research program is focused on supporting community health in Nunavut, and is guided by the National Inuit Strategy on Research (NISR). We aim to engage in work that supports the values of the NISR, and that supports Inuit self-determination in research. The Niqivut project is Nunavut-led, where Inuit women guide the research objectives and plans, control the design of the research, conduct research activities, and advise on how all information is kept and shared. Please read our research papers to learn more!
