Improving food security for Labrador Inuit in Nunatsiavut, Labrador: A matter of health equity

Abstract

Background The current low state of food security amongst Inuit in Canada is influenced by policy choices. Policy actors develop and implement policies, yet few research studies include their perspectives. This study includes policy actors’ perspectives on gaps and areas of improvement for policies that pertain to food security for Labrador Inuit in Nunatsiavut. Nunatsiavut is one of the four Inuit land claim areas in northern Canada making up the Inuit homeland, or Inuit Nunangat. It is situated in northern Labrador in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Methods This qualitative study consisted of key informant interviews conducted from July 2020-December 2020 with policy actors that spanned the Nunatsiavut Government (regional Inuit government), Government of Newfoundland and Labrador (provincial government), the Government of Canada (federal government), non-governmental organizations and private industry. Participants were asked about their role, policy gaps and opportunities for improving policies that pertain to food security in Nunatsiavut. It also included initial insights from emergency food security measures implemented during the first wave of COVID-19 in 2020. Results Fifteen key informant interviews were completed, and three participants provided written responses. The results were reported as per the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative studies (COREQ): 32–item checklist. Seven participants (39%) stated they developed policy, six participants (33%) stated they both developed and implemented policy and five participants (28%) stated they implemented policy. Seven themes were identified from discussions with policy actors. Policy recommendations to improve food security include improving transportation, social policies, and policy coherence in policy implementation. Five separate themes were identified from discussions on implementing emergency food security measures during the first wave of COVID-19 in Nunatsiavut. These included inadequacy of social policies, hidden poverty among people living in Nunatsiavut and future considerations for post- COVID-19 food security policies. Conclusion The results of this study show that improving food security in Nunatsiavut is a matter of health equity. During COVID-19, these inequities were further highlighted, demonstrating the importance of urgent action. Findings from this study can inform actions to improve existing and future policies that pertain to food security for Labrador Inuit in Nunatsiavut.