Canada to strengthen Indigenous community nutrition program with external review and funding

An external reviewer will be assessing the effectiveness of the Nutrition North Canada (NNC) program in addressing food security challenges in Indigenous communities. The government-led initiative is made to boost food and nutrition security in isolated communities.

Minister Gary Anandasangaree of the Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada has appointed Aluki Kotierk as the Minister’s Special Representative to oversee the review. She will recommend improvements based on input from Indigenous organizations, retailers, and other stakeholders. 

Minister Gary Anandasangaree of the Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada has appointed Aluki Kotierk as the Minister’s Special Representative to oversee the review. She will recommend improvements based on input from Indigenous organizations, retailers, and other stakeholders.

Anandasangaree also announced CA$20 million (~US$14 million) has been set aside to meet the increasing food challenges families face under NNC.

He comments: “We are delivering on our commitment to improving access to healthy and affordable food for all Northerners. I welcome Ms. Kotierk as our Minister’s Special Representative and look forward to her recommendations on how the NNC program should and can evolve to meet the needs of northern communities.”

“We are always looking for ways to improve our program delivery and support community-led initiatives and partnerships to offer the best possible results for Northerners.”

The NNC benefits 124 isolated northern communities in the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland, and Labrador.

Review ends next year

Kotierk is an Inuk leader from Iqaluit, Nunavut, who strives to integrate Inuit culture and language into public programs and services to meet their needs and benefits. She is also a standing member of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

Kotierk will create a final report by 2026 while the Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada will deliver a report this summer.She comments: “Northerners have the knowledge and experience to determine what works best for their communities. This review is an opportunity to ensure their voices drive real, lasting improvements to NNC.” 

“I look forward to working directly with Indigenous partners, local leaders, and Northerners to make actionable recommendations to strengthen food security across the North.”

Kotierk will meet national and regional Indigenous organizations, retailers, transportation providers, and stakeholders, says the government. She will also meet federal government organizations and create a final report in 2026.

The Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada is also evaluating the program at the community level through various partnerships. It will deliver a report by summer this year. 

The department stresses that working together on solutions for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis is central to reconciliation and self-determination efforts.

Inuit nutrition crisis

Nutrition Insight spoke to Eric Head, spokesperson for Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, about Inuit in northern Canada, who urged their government to investigate grocers accused of inflating costs despite receiving federal subsidies.

Residents also complained about price hikes, which even occurred in the summer when prices usually drop as food can be transported by ferry rather than expensive air freight.

Head said: “NNC is currently working on program improvements to enhance the subsidy component. These policy options will be informed by the research findings of the five ongoing Indigenous-led research projects funded by the NNC Food Security Research Grant, as well as the engagements and recommendations of academic and Indigenous partners.”