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Food and the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada. History. Modern historians believe Aboriginals arrived in Canada 10,000-30,000 years ago from Asia. There are 3 main groups in Canada First Nations, Inuit, Metis 53 distinct languages are spoken
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History • Modern historians believe Aboriginals arrived in Canada 10,000-30,000 years ago from Asia. • There are 3 main groups in Canada • First Nations, Inuit, Metis • 53 distinct languages are spoken • Canada's Food Guide has been translated into 4 of the most common Aboriginal languages
The 6 Distinct Cultures in Canada • Woodlands People – hunt wild game, fish, trap, maple syrup • Plains People – nomadic (move around), buffalo • People of the Plateau – salmon, wild plants • Pacific Coast People – fish salmon • Yukon River Basin – nomadic hunters • Inuit – severe weather, seal, caribou, berries and plants in summer
Eating well with Canada's Food Guide: First Nations, Inuit and Metis • food guide tailored to reflect traditions and food choices of First Nations, Inuit and Métis, • reflects values and traditions such as food as a link to the land, to family and community and as an element of spirituality • uses a circle instead of a rainbow as the circle is important in aboriginal culture as a symbol of balance and the cycle of life http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/alt_formats/fnihb-dgspni/pdf/pubs/fnim-pnim/2007_fnim-pnim_food-guide-aliment-eng.pdf
Inner circle – harvesting traditional foods • Outer circle – healthy store bought food available
Traditional Fruits and Vegetables • Squash (whole and canned) • Corn (frozen) • Fiddleheads and wild greens • Berries (on the branch or frozen)
Traditional Grains • Bannock • Wild rice
Traditional Dairy • Not traditional, therefore nutrients found in dairy come from:
Traditional Meats • Beaver, caribou, rabbit, birds, moose, seal, and deer • Fish and shellfish • Crab, mussels, clams, fish (whole or canned
Benefits of Traditional Foods • traditional foods have less fat, salt and sugar than many store-bought foods • they have essential nutrients that are needed for good health • during harvesting, people are being physically active • the spiritual and cultural importance of harvesting and eating traditional foods
Food Issues faced by Aboriginals • In many cases, Aboriginal people no longer have access to traditional foods • Fresh foods such as dairy and produce cost a lot in stores as they have to be flown in New problems that previously did not exist: • Obesity • Diabetes (was rare before the 1950's) • Heart Disease • Dental Disease