Grant: Project Grant

Water plays an important role in sustaining ecosystems that support food production and other activities that are key for food security and human health. For many Inuit, marine and freshwater ecosystems provide critical transportation routes to harvesting grounds (e.g. boating and snowmobiling); habitat for many country foods (e.g. whales, seals, bears, fish, shellfish); opportunities for business and employment that promote cultural continuity (e.g. fisheries, fur trade); craft materials; and food. The Water-Food-Health Nexus research project is led by Inuit organizations and Northern governments, and addresses a significant gap in understanding how water and food intersect to impact Inuit health in Nunavut. We will examine the interconnections among sewage effluent and water-related foodborne disease (i.e. shellfish), and their cumulative impact on health in the context of climate change. The project is guided by 3 interconnected research themes. (1) The water-food-health nexus in Nunavut: We will use a systems approach to characterize the water-food-health nexus in Nunavut, based on Inuit knowledge, and the health, social, and natural sciences. (2) Climate change and the water-food-health nexus: We will use mixed qualitative and quantitative methods to conduct participatory quantitative microbial risk assessments, that connect Inuit knowledge and quantitative methods to model future climate change impacts at the water-food-health nexus. (3) Water-food-health adaptation pathways: We will use integrated analytic approaches to co-develop climate-health-intervention scenarios with communities and partners, and co-produce adaptation options that promote, value, and reflect Inuit knowledge systems. Our participatory, community-based approach will offer best practice guidance for other initiatives, will create community and scientific leaders with expertise in Inuit water-food-health nexus, and demonstrate the importance of Inuit knowledge for adaptation.