Inuvialuit food use and food preferences in Aklavik, Northwest Territories, Canada

Annual frequency of use of 32 species of mammals, fish, birds and plants was examined among 36 (43% of all) Inuvialuit households in Aklavik, NWT. Degree of preference for each of 34 traditional and 12 store-bought foods was examined among 36 adults and 35 (83% of all) Inuvialuit school children ages 10-16 years, using a Likert-type scale. Traditional foods were used on average 676 +/- 464 (mean +/- S.D.) times per year, the most frequent being caribou (145, mean), beluga whale (74), hares (35), muskrat (26), whitefish (52), cisco (39), burbot (38), inconnu (37), Arctic charr (31), geese (44) ducks (19), ptamigan (18), cloudberries (22), cranberries (20) and blueberries (18). Traditional foods were well-linked, especially caribou, bannock, charr, beluga, muskrat, geese, ducks, and hare. For 31 of 34 traditional foods, there were no statistically significant differences (p < 0.05, t-test) in children's vs adult's preference ratings; however, children rated 8 of 12 store-bought foods higher (p < 0.05) than adults did. Reasons given for the selection of favourite foods included the role of caribou as the dietary staple, the food's traditional nature, its origin in nature, its association with home and childhood, as well as organoleptic and convenience considerations. Overall, traditional foods are frequently consumed and highly preferred by contemporary Inuvialuit of Aklavik.