Some Inuit families eating just 1 meal a day, researcher says
Study examines the end of the universal food voucher program paints bleak picture in Nunavut
Some Inuit mothers in Nunavut are going without so that their children can eat, says a researcher looking into the universal food voucher program formerly utilized through Inuit Child First Initiative. (File photo)
Researchers studying the effects of a former universal food voucher program in Nunavut are hearing about the stark realities of hunger in the territory.
“I hear people saying things like, ‘We eat once a day,'” said lead researcher Vandna Sinha.
The study began two years ago and is paid for by Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. It’s led by Qupanuaq, which uses Inuit Child First Initiative money to fund local programs in Nunavut’s Qikiqtaaluk Region.
Sinha said some mothers are going without food so their children can eat.
“You hear things like, ‘I’m OK if I have coffee,'” she said.
The universal food voucher program ran from fiscal year 2023-24 until March 31, 2025.
While specifics varied by community, Inuit families generally received $500 a month per child 18 and younger for food, while children age four and under got an additional $250 for items like diapers and baby formula.
The money came from Inuit Child First Initiative, which funds socio-economic and educational programs for Inuit under the age of 18, with programs overseen by Indigenous Services Canada.
For the study, researchers were originally tasked with exploring the impacts of the universal food voucher program.
“When the program ended abruptly, we adapted,” Sinha said, “and the purpose now is to document the food insecurity situation.”
Sabrina Maniapik, the former universal food voucher program administrator for the Hamlet of Pangnirtung, said she’s heard first-hand about people’s struggle with hunger.
People still ask her when the universal program will return.
The latest phase of the study started in October and should wrap up in February.
Final study results are to be released in the spring. Nunatsiaq News contacted NTI to ask how it will use the study results, but did not receive a response.
Before the universal food voucher program was started, individual families could apply for “grocery supports,” Sinha said.
“There was a backlog and a wait — families were waiting months, months to have those requests responded to,” she said.
Now, after the universal food program, requirements for the new program — where each case is considered on its own — are very stringent.
They are “worse [than before],” she said, and even when supports are approved it’s often only for a limited period.
Maniapik agreed, saying she knows of one person’s child who was approved for a month and then had to start the application process all over again.
“That doesn’t make any sense at all,” she said.
Maniapik adds: “I hope that everyone in the community of Nunavut has their voices heard. This is a crisis, we are in a crisis, [people] are hungry for basic necessities.”
Why are we spending money on studies like this? We know about food insecurity. Why do more studies on us Inuit??? It is well documented. Why not use this to actually help solve the problem PLEASE don’t do food voucher program. So much wasted money using middle men like Qupanuaq or other programs. PLEASE use that money for Inuit, not southern researchers! Use it to provide food or increase existing programs like child tax or income support
Agreed about using the money for more food, but increasing child tax or income support has proven over and over to fail, as many of the issues that result in not having food on the table are deeply-rooted in substance abuse, mental health and poor education.
Not all clients on income support or child tax are addicts
Like wake up to classify us all as addicts
That’s definitely true, FB; nonetheless, too many are
ICFI is not taken seriously and NTI and the GN isnt doing much for their Inuit. No matter how well the child(ren)’s support letter is written, it is going to be denied. Most times people dont get a response
“The universal food voucher program ran from fiscal year 2023-24 until March 31, 2025”
Why not state the specific start date? Are they trying to make it sound like the program lasted longer than it did?
I’m also skeptical of the ability to avoid bias in the respondents answers. The program handed money that was meant to help pay for food, then it stopped. Asking the former recipients of the money whether they need money for food is obviously going to elicit positive responses.
Might aswell just ask : do you want money? Y/N
I LOVE FREE STUFF , ESPECIALLY MONEY !!!!
Food insecurity is real. Not much caribou all over nunavut, just seals and muktaa. Amigatut inuit niqigi
As Baffin caribou is almost gone, Kivalliq herd must be looking good to Baffin hunting, right about now.🤣
As Baffin caribou is almost gone, Kivalliq herd must be looking good to Baffin hunting, right about now.🤣
Time for beluga around Churchill to duck. … Baffin said you’re next.🤣🤣🤣
Aside from just caribou there are:
Fish
Seal
Walrus
Maktaaq
Muskox
Polar Bear
Hare
Ptarmigan
Geese
Ducks
Swans
Berries
You could also give the animals a break, get a job and shop at Northern.
Lori, cross the floor to the liberals give carney the majority he needs to move Canada forward, do it for the people of Nunavut, then walk down to the prime minister office, and ask him to help the hungry people of Nunavut, you are already eligible for your million dollar pension, help the hungry people of Nunavut, you will not get elected again.
No, she needs to negotiate with the Prime Minister. Give him a price – in terms of support that Nunavut needs – for her to cross the floor. If he agrees to provide what she says Nunavut needs, then cross the floor.
Thanks Frank. I agree with you about Lori’s hand in the cookie jar. She is a perfect proxy for yge decades-long abysmal leadership in Nunavut.
That aside, the NDP’s collusion with the Liberal Party, both in Parliament and in the minds of those people who support the policies of those two parties, is the singular relevant force that has brought Nunavut and Canadian society to such a low place. How low? Highest levels of poverty in decades. Lowest levels of healthcare in decades. Lowest level of educational outcomes in decades. Highest levels of taxation, regulation, social conflict, ideological conflict, homelessness, addiction, monopoly, bureaucracy… ad infinitum; in Nunavut and all of Canada. In the past 70 years, nearly 50 years of federal Liberal government, abetted by its supporters. the NDP and its supporters. And last election they doubled down on a sick horse and supported the NDP and Liberal Party again. It is all on the supporters; George Carlin: ignorant and selfish adults elect ignorant and selfish politicians
If people are now eating only one meal a day, how did they survive without ICFI, never heard of anyone starving to death.
The ICFI was a universal program for the poor and wealthy alike. That was wrong.
Have community hunts 4 tumes a yr like what our predacessorsdid to our west it works but our htos are too selfminded and not for the ppl for their own good hto should have community hunts that way everyone gets a share of country foods they crave and rave about . Have a m8nd and not a thought of propaganda .
There are a number of GN grants and subsidies available to combat food insecurity.
Non-profits spend the time putting in proposals, only to never hear back. Not even a “no”. Just into the black hole that is the GN.
Sad since there’s funding available and kids are going hungry while GN employees take their breaks and long lunches.
All the while nutrition north program has increased over the years, where is all that savings going?
Also Aluki, what are you doing with your reviewing of the NNP? Where are you? Like when you were at NTI it’s all silent and closed doors.
We really need better people to do these reviews as they are really important and can actually make a difference, unfortunately we have someone who doesn’t know or care enough to actually do a great job.
I work, I thought the vouchers were only for people that didn’t work, when I was told I could apply and received these funds, it really helped our family alot! FOOD IN THE NORTH IS VERY EXPENSIVE! It felt amazing to have food that lasted for the full 2 weeks for the next pay period. Now with it gone, we are struggling again! Please bring it back!
I have seen equal distribution of country food in our community freezer – everyone seems to be reasonable and fair.