Researchers and hunters have identified challenges in transporting food between Inuit communities, citing issues such as high costs, unreliability, and frequent spoilage incidents. Katrin Schmid, an anthropology PhD candidate from the University of Vienna, conducted interviews with individuals from various Inuit communities to study food transportation systems. She was taken aback by the extent of food spoilage during transit, attributing it to inadequate freezer capacity at airports, malfunctioning community freezers, and delays in cargo handling that render the food inedible by the time it reaches households.
Schmid highlighted the recurrent problem of malfunctioning freezers and refrigerators in these communities, emphasizing the limited repair capabilities locally. Despite the prevalent food insecurity in the region, a significant amount of food is wasted due to spoilage. Her research, featured in the academic journal “Food, Culture & Society,” delves into the nexus between transportation infrastructure and food accessibility in Nunavut, encompassing both imported goods from the south and locally harvested country food.
Jimmy Akavak, the chair of the Amaruq Hunters and Trappers Association in Iqaluit, emphasized the historical significance of sharing country food within Inuit culture. Families frequently exchange caribou, seal, fish, and other harvested items with relatives residing in different communities or southern regions. As people relocate for employment, education, and other prospects, these sharing networks expand, creating logistical complexities in ensuring safe food delivery.
Transporting food safely poses challenges, particularly in regions like Baffin Island, where ongoing caribou hunting restrictions have heightened the need for sourcing meat from other areas, such as Nunavut’s Kivalliq region. Akavak noted the increased financial burden, with the cost of ordering caribou amounting to $600-$700 per animal, covering meat expenses and air freight charges, with deliveries sometimes taking weeks to arrive.
Amidst these challenges, discussions on food sovereignty in Nunavut have gained traction, underscoring the importance of not only food access but also the preservation of culturally significant ingredients and traditional harvesting practices. Efforts led by Inuit communities to support hunters and sustain harvesting traditions reflect ongoing initiatives aimed at addressing these issues.
Despite economic pressures and rising costs, many hunters continue to prioritize sharing over selling, believing that abundance follows generosity. Akavak emphasized the intrinsic value of sharing country food, expressing optimism that such practices foster communal prosperity and luck in future hunting endeavors.