THE CONTEMPORARY FOOD-SUPPLY OF 3 NORTHERN MANITOBA CREE COMMUNITIES

A complex set of social, economic, cultural and environmental circumst ances affecting native Canadians in northern regions has resulted in t he dietary replacement of indigenous foods with marketed products not always of equivalent nutritional value. This article examines the curr ent food supply in three northern Manitoba Cree communities by looking at the availability and preservation of traditional foods, the price of marketed foods and perceptions of the food supply. Data were obtain ed by questionnaire from older adults (over 55 years) and younger wome n (16-45 years) in each community. The food supply comprised a mix of traditional and marketed foods, with limited use of traditional method s of food preservation. Marketed food prices were high in communities without all-weather road access. Respondents expressed a desire for mo re traditional food. Promotion of traditional foods could increase nut rient intake, decreased food costs and contribute to a revival of inte rest in Cree culture.