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Vision and Principles

All Nunavummiut will have access to an adequate supply of safe, culturally preferable, affordable, nutritious food, through a food system that promotes Inuit Societal Values, self-reliance, and environmental sustainability.

 

Addressing the food security crisis in Nunavut is a collective responsibility; both individuals and organizations have a role to play. The Nunavut Food Security Coalition understands that no single entity has the resources and capacity required to effectively address the complex issue of food insecurity. We must all work together to do more with what we have.  

Guiding Principles:
 

  • Nunavummiungulluta, like all peoples, have the human right to adequate food, including the right to feed ourselves and to participate in decisions about our food system.
  • Nunavut has a food system consisting of country food and store-bought food; both are essential to our food security.
  • Food must be accessible and affordable for everyone.
  • Achieving food security must be done in a manner consistent with Inuit Societal Values, principles of conservation and sustainability, and the rights of Inuit as enshrined in the Nunavut LandClaims Agreement.
  • Food insecurity in Nunavut is a complex problem that requires collaborative solutions through the application of piliriqatigiinniq/ikajuqtigiinniq (working together for a common cause) andTunnganarniq (fostering good spirit by being open, welcoming, and inclusive).
  • The best approach to achieving food security is through qanuqtuurniq (being innovative and resourceful), which involves strategic use of our existing resources.
  • Food is central to Inuit culture, which relies on the use of the Inuit language to transfer traditional knowledge related to harvesting, sharing, preparing, and consuming food.
  • Food production is an important part of the Nunavut economy, for which producers, including harvesters, must be able to pursue a sustainable livelihood.