Healthy Eating in a Local Way
We all know that healthy eating is important. But if we look at healthy eating based of Inuit Societal Values also known as Inuit Piqujangit, we come to a more complete meaning of what it means to eat and live in a healthy way.
Inuuqatigiitsiarniq: Respecting others, relationships and caring for people.
People often use food as a way of making relationships stronger and showing they care. Celebrations often happen around feasts and can bring about a sense of community and belonging.
Hunting for elders or for people in the community that cannot hunt for themselves, is a way to care for others. It is also a way to exercise and stay fit.
Tunnganarniq: Fostering good spirits by being open, welcoming and including everyone.
Including everyone in getting, preparing and eating food is an important part of healthy eating. Sharing a meal has the power to bring people together, despite differences. It allows us to learn about what makes each of us unique.
In our day-to-day lives, it is important to be inclusive and respectful of the food needs, beliefs and/or restrictions of others.
Being open-minded can be helpful to your health. It is important to be open to different ways of eating as it promotes acceptance and the belief that there is more than one way to do something or eat something.
Pijitsirniq: Serving and providing for family and/or community.
Preparing a good meal for your family is an excellent example of serving and providing. If we think about the community as our extended family, we realize that ensuring everyone has enough to eat is important to health and wellbeing.
Aajiiqatigiinniq: Decision making through discussion and consensus.
When it comes to choosing and preparing foods it is a great idea to get everyone involved. Children who help with the preparation of meals are more likely to develop healthy eating behaviours including eating country food.
Dividing tasks among family members can also relieve some stress around meal planning and preparation when it is sometimes is job of one person.
Pilimmaksarniq/Pijariuqsarniq: Development of skills through observation, mentoring, practice, and effort.
It is important for the younger generation to watch the elders get and prepare country and store bought food. It helps develop food skills and will benefit the health and well-being of those that learn these skills.
It also allows for the chance to share stories and pass down traditions through recipes, techniques and customs.
Eating country foods has been linked to positive health outcomes. Studies show that on days when Nunavummiut eat country food, they eat much higher levels of important nutrients (vitamins, minerals, healthy fats).
Piliriqatigiinniq/Ikajuqtigiinniq: Working together for a common cause.
Working with your family, community and health care team are crucial parts of healthy eating. Surrounding yourself with people who are willing to work towards your health can help you achieve your goals.
Qanuqtuurniq: Being innovative and resourceful.
Life isn’t perfect and healthy eating doesn’t need to be perfect either. It is important to be flexible and adaptable and make do with what is available. Being innovative and resourceful are very important especially if you are trying to make changes to your diet.
Finding ways to make nutritious foods more enjoyable or making enjoyable foods more nutritious is a great step towards healthy eating.
Avatittinnik Kamatsiarniq: Respect and care for the land, animals and the environment.
Not only should the food we eat be healthy for the individual they should also be healthy for the land, the air and the water. It is important to never waste food and use all the parts of the food.
Eating a wide variety of foods and Incorporating foods acquired in traditional ways is important for sustainability.
Showing gratitude for the food provided for us is another component of healthy eating.
_______________________
When thinking about healthy eating based on Inuit Piqujangit , we see how it can affect the mental, physical and emotional well-being of the community, not just the individual.
We think this way of looking after each other through food is special and unique. We aim to support the community in eating in a healthy way.
Disclaimer: It is with great respect that we share this article with the community. This is our interpretation of Inuit Piqujangit in connection to healthy eating. We acknowledge that there are many views and interpretations of these societal values.
References Accessed April 1-10, 2021
Department of Health Government of Nunavut. (n.d.). Nunavut Food Guide: Educators Handbook. Retrieved from Healthy Living : https://livehealthy.gov.nu.ca/sites/default/files/resource_attachments/EN_WEB_nunavut-food-guide–educators-handbook.pdf
Healey, G. K. (2017, June 20). What if our health care systems embodied the values of our communities? A reflection from Nunavut . Retrieved from The Arctic Institute : https://www.thearcticinstitute.org/health-care-systems-values-communities-nunavut/
The Government of Nunavut . (n.d.). Inuit Societal Values . Retrieved from https://www.gov.nu.ca/information/inuit-societal-values