NCC’s Food Security Coordinator attends Nutrition North Canada Indigenous Working Group meeting

Roxanne Notley, NCC’s Food Security Coordinator, attended a Nutrition North Canada Indigenous Working Group (IWG) meeting in Montreal on October 18-19, 2023. 

The IWG provides insight and guidance to Nutrition North Canada and makes suggestions to ensure food security programs work better for communities. Roxanne co-chaired last week’s meetings in Montreal, which was the first face-to-face meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

The IWG is comprised of eight Indigenous groups, along with Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC), Indigenous Services Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada. They meet regularly to discuss and share ideas and put forward recommendations. In addition, the IWG periodically invites guest to the table to discuss possible solutions. In this latest meeting, they heard about a new and upcoming transportation alternative, which has the potential to reduce freight costs and increase the frequency of cargo deliveries into remote communities like Black Tickle.

What else is happening in food security news?

  • Recently, the Food Security Office, with the help of Wanda Dyson, conducted a household survey in Black Tickle asking residents about food challenges in the community. The biggest concerns raised were around transportation and the lack of a regularly scheduled freight service. Some also raised issues about a number of staple foods that are not eligible for subsidy through Nutrition North Canada programs. The IWG meetings provide an opportunity to put forward those food items to be added to the higher subsidy list.
  • NCC was awarded funding through the Co-operative Solutions for Rural Food Security: Building a Provincial Food Network Project, which will provide technical support for the Greenhouse set up in Mary’s Harbour, NunatuKavut.

Addressing food insecurity in our territory is a priority for NCC. Please stay tuned for upcoming Food Security Office initiatives! If you have any questions regarding these items, please reach out to:

Roxanne Notley
Food Security Coordinator
Environment and Natural Resources Dept.
Port Hope Simpson
Tel: (709) 960-1043
rnotley@nunatukavut.ca