Community Food Security in Pictou Landing First Nation
This report delineates the key challenges and opportunities to better food security and Indigenous health in Pictou Landing.
Food Action Research Centre, Atlantic Aboriginal Health Research Program & Pictou Landing First Nation. (2014). Community Food Security in Pictou Landing. Available at: < https://foodarc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/CFS-in-PLFN-project-repor…;
Literature review of resources and programs available in the community and identification of key gaps in relation to community food security.
Community consultations to design local food affordability scenarios to better understand food accessibility.
Use of story-sharing and photovoice to share and understand local experiences related food security and insecurity.
Production and dissemination of healthy eating resources (recipes, budgeting, and cooking workshops).
Based on community consultations and other community-led activities, the researchers were able to identify issues and suggest actions to enhance production and access to healthy food in the region. Having in mind the goal of building capacity within the community to continue the work on the topic, the authors developed research inventories (for food costs and accessibility) and data analysis trainings to support the community’s work on the project.
The research was conducted in compliance with the Mi'kmaw Ethics Watch Research Principles and Protocols. Pictou Landing community members were encouraged to participate and take leadership of the activities proposed.
The collection of resources and network connections that were stablished through this research project have the potential to promote best practices regarding food security and Indigenous health in Pictou Landing. The series of trainings on data analysis, food security, and health protocols for the community were key to building capacity and encouraging community autonomy on the issue.
Documentation produced in community consultations.
Interviews with community members and partners.
Food Security reports, such as Food Costing Report.
Academic research on Food Security and Indigenous Health.
The knowledge that was gathered on the topic was shared in the form of reports and visual archives that came from the story-sharing and photovoice activities. It was noted that participatory research gave them the opportunity to better engage with culturally informed aspects of food security and that it created a more trusting environment for everyone involved in the research.
-
Science and Technology Studies
Food Studies
Environmental Health