Contaminants in Country Food of the Inuit: Development of a Risk Communication Strategy. L. Craig, C. Furgal, R. Keith, and J. Shortreed, Institute for Risk Research, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1
The safety of the traditional diet of the Inuit of Northern Québec and Labrador is an issue of increasing concern to local and regional Northern health decision-makers, as long range transport of environmental contaminants to the Arctic is expected to continue. The Institute for Risk Research (IRR) is one of nine research groups involved in a three year interdisciplinary study which is seeking to better understand the health, social, and economic impacts of country food diets on the Inuit. The IRR’s project focuses on developing a risk management framework to assist Northern health decision-makers and residents in coping with the food chain contaminants issue. This involves integrating and adapting the research program to meet the information needs of local and regional Inuit groups. This paper describes the process and results of a risk management approach involving community workshops and consultation with regional contaminants committees to identify community knowledge, perceptions and information needs on contaminants issues in Northern Québec and Labrador. The implications of the results for the development of a relevant and culturally appropriate risk communication strategy will be discussed.
Work supported by a Grant under the Tri-Council Eco-Research Secretariat.