Abstract from Pan-Arctic Results Workshop – Ottawa, Feb 7-10, 2011 

This research examined how climate change can affect Inuit women’s food security in Igloolik. It drew on a mixed methods approach, including semi-structured interviews with 36 women, focus groups with 19 women, and interviews with local and territorial health professionals and policy makers. Results showed a high prevalence of food insecurity, with 76% of women skipping or reducing the size of their meals in 2008, and 40% reporting that they were not eating enough food when supplies ran out. Multiple determinants of food insecurity were identified, including issues surrounding affordability and budgeting, knowledge, education, preferences, quality and availability, absence of a full time hunter in the household, and the cost of harvesting. These determinants are operating in the context of changing livelihoods, addiction, poverty, and climate related stresses, which in many cases exacerbate food insecurity.