The Best Part of Life : Subsistence Hunting, Ethnicity, and Economic Adaptation among Young Adult Inuit Males

Abstract

ABSTRACT. This paper examines the economic adaptations and subsistence hunting involvement of householders between the ages of 20 and 35 in the Copper Inuit community of Holman. Social, economic, and political changes throughout the Canadian Arctic have made it impossible for young adults to pursue the same mixed economic strategies as previous generations. A general decrease in subsistence hunting involvement is characteristic of the younger generation. Nevertheless, some young householders have made a conscious effort to remain active in subsistence hunting and fishing to provide for themselves and related households. Some have even increased subsistence hunting involvement as their own parents age and become increasingly infirm. Other householders are less active in hunting and fishing, but continue to view land-based harvesting as central to a sense of Inuit identity. The motivations, economic position, and family background of a sample of active and less active young adult hunters are explored in an attempt to understand the pressures experienced by young adults as they strive to make a place in a northern society radically different from that of their parents at a similar age. While the authors recognize the economic value of subsistence harvesting and the foods that result from it, we also emphasize the less easily quantified dimensions of subsistence ideology and its impact upon physical health, psychological well-being, and community integration.Key words: subsistence, harvest effort, Inuit identity, young adults, food sharing, health, self-esteem RÉSUMÉ. Cet article examine les adaptations économiques et l'activité de chasse de subsistance de chefs de ménage âgés de 20 à 35 ans, dans la communauté Copper Inuit de Holman. Les changements sociaux, économiques et politiques qui ont eu lieu dans tout l'Arctique canadien ont fait qu'il est impossible pour les jeunes adultes de poursuivre les mêmes stratégies d'économie mixte que les générations précédentes. La génération la plus jeune se caractérise par une diminution généralisée de l'activité de chasse de subsistance. Néanmoins, certains jeunes chefs de ménage ont fait un effort conscient pour poursuivre la chasse et la pêche de subsistance afin de subvenir à leurs propres besoins et à ceux de ménages apparentés. Certains consacrent même plus de temps à la chasse de subsistance à mesure que leurs propres parents vieillissent et deviennent physiquement incapables de se livrer à ces activités. D'autres chefs de ménage se consacrent maintenant moins à la chasse et à la pêche, mais continuent de considérer le prélèvement des ressources naturelles comme essentiel à l'identité inuit. On a exploré les motivations, la situation économique et les antécédents familiaux d'un échantillon de jeunes chasseurs adultes, certains plus actifs que d'autres, afin d'essayer de comprendre les pressions ressenties par les jeunes adultes alors qu'ils luttent pour se faire une place dans une société nordique radicalement différente de celle de leurs parents au même âge. Bien que l...

Sit-and-wait versus active-search hunting: A behavioral ecological model of optimal search mode

“…The introduction of the snowmobile, however, dramatically changed hunting strategies, as long trips to hunting sites were replaced by fastpaced day trips on snowmobiles (Condon et al, 1995). Inuit hunters could not usually overtake moving caribou with dog teams, but the introduction of the snowmobile made such active-search possible (Dick, 2009).…”

“Now we got lots to eat and they’re telling us not to eat it”: understanding changes to south-east Labrador Inuit relationships to food

“…Inuit believe that foods reinforce social and cultural connections, which have important implications for social and emotional health and well-being (5,14,16,22). These social and cultural connections are reinforced through traditional food-sharing activities and have been linked with spiritual and mental health benefits, as well as benefits associated with passing cultural knowledge on to future generations (1,2,5,38).…”

“…Increasingly, traditional Inuit diets have been supplemented or replaced with store-bought foods (4,5,(11)(12)(13)(14)(15). Several recent studies have attributed declining health in Inuit communities with the increased availability of imported foods (5,11,12,16).…”

“…Several recent studies have attributed declining health in Inuit communities with the increased availability of imported foods (5,11,12,16). Moreover, the subsequent decrease in the physical activity associated with procuring and preparing traditional foods is also thought to play a role in spiralling rates of chronic disease (12,14,(16)(17)(18). Among the south-eastern Labrador Inuit in particular, diabetes rates are triple the Canadian average at 10.4%, and 27.2% report multiple chronic illnesses (19).…”

“…Aside from the physical health benefits associated with the activities of procuring traditional foods and eating nutritious foods to ward off deficiencies, Inuit believe that foods reinforce social and cultural connections, which have important implications for social and emotional health and well-being (5,22,24,25). As well, traditional food-sharing activities have been linked with spiritual and mental health benefits, as well as benefits associated with passing cultural knowledge on to future generations (1,2,14,26,27). The significant change over a short period, from ensuring that one has enough to eat and avoiding nutritional deficiencies, to paying attention to the types and amount of foods eaten, has required a different "way" of understanding food.…”