Subsistence Practices and Food Insecurity in the Arctic Circle - A Focus on the Inuit and Sami Community

Abstract

During this course, I was deeply touched by how food was so spiritual for arctic communities and how their lives are shaped around their subsistence practices. I often found myself comparing my lifestyle to the one Sami and Inuit. I noticed vast differences in our lifestyles. I quickly realized their conditions meant they needed to follow their ancestors’ way of life and not be affected by globalization or modernization. However, things have changed over the years, and Arctic communities are slowly losing their cultural roots due to socio-political intervention. Hence, the topic of subsistence in the arctic circle began to pique my interest. Moreover, when Inuits and Sami have few similar experiences and lifestyles; hence,  I compared both communities and highlighted their struggles. I am most passionate about discussing the issue of food security in the Inuit community because it deprives them of their rights, and more solutions must be discussed to help Arctic communities. Moreover, Sami and Inuit are communities dispersed in different land areas, yet they have been practicing the same way for centuries. Canada and Scandinavia both have been actively involved in trying to reverse the effects of colonization and help establish a better support system for indigenous communities. Both communities can be self-sufficient if there is no socio-political interference caused by colonization which has altered the structure of various practices critical to the stability and survival of their community.

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jenanne Ferguson