alaskan native culture
TRANSCRIPT
Alaska Natives have inhabited Alaska for over 15,000 years
Multiple tribes with unique cultural traditionsEach tribe can be divided into smaller tribal
communities with there own unique customs and traditions
Alaska Native History
http://www.gograph.com/stock-illustration/alaska.html
This map depicts the many Native Alaskan
Tribes and their regional location
http://www.alaskanative.net/en/main-nav/education-and-programs/cultures-of-alaska/
Traditional LifestyleSustainable living,
hunting and fishingUsed entire animal for
food, shelter and clothing
Tribal groups would do communal hunts and distribute the food among the tribe
Many tribes were semi-nomadic in order to get plant sources of nutrition in the diet.
http://alaskawildberryproducts.com/education/alaskan-foods.html
http://www.alaska-in-pictures.com/caribou-in-fall-foliage-denali-national-park-alaska-8200-pictures.htm
Traditional Diet
Caribou was the most common source of protein among Alaska natives
Whale was the most common source of fat
Berries and local plants made up a very small percent of the dietOne popular dish was Akutaq
“Eskimo ice cream”- blended seal fat and berries. (Image to left)
• Each tribe eats different traditional foods due to demographics and climate
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akutaq#mediaviewer/File:Iced_Akutaq.jpg
http://www.alaska-in-pictures.com/bowhead-whale-cutting-native-culture-alaska-5886-pictures.htm
Increase in processed foodsSugary beverages Non-seasonal/non local fruits
and vegetablesAkutaq now often has sugar
added. Traditionally it did not.
Modern DietSustainable living and living off the land continues but not as extensive as before
Alaska department of Fish and Game allow native Alaskan tribes to practice sustainable hunting and fishing
http://www.alaskacenters.gov/adfg.cfm
Modern Food Guide
Canada has made a modern food pyramid for the Native Alaskans that also inhabit regions of Canada
Canada's Food Guide
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/pubs/fnim-pnim/index-eng.php
Geographical LocationClimateMountainous TerrainGrowing Seasons
Factors affecting Diet 11
http://www.summitpost.org/alaska-range/170857
http://www.usda.gov/img/content/agroforestry-blueberry-harvest.JPG
Current food databases are limitedUSDA and the Agricultural Research Group
are developing a Native Foods DatabaseAnalysis includes ~100 nutrients
Vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, phytonutrients, carotenoids, etc.
Other sampled foods are collected but have not yet been analyzed
Salmon eggs, walrus, snow goose
Composition of Native Alaskan Foods 11
http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2013/3066/images/subsist_fish_dry.png
USDA Food Database
http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods?fgcd=&manu=&lfacet=&count=&max=25&sort=fg&qlookup=&offset=&format=Full&new=&measureby=
Traditional FoodsOmega 3 Fatty Acids, Vitamin A, Vitamin C,
Vitamin E, Zinc
Nutritional Adequacies 14
http://www.adn.com/sites/default/files/styles/ad_slideshow_normal/public/images/topic/food-drink/food-mosaic-1.jpg?itok=orRQeVjf
http://www.adn.com/sites/default/files/styles/ad_slideshow_940/public/legacy/2014/06/izuPl.So.7.JPG?itok=fDA_bNv-
Vitamin D Deficiency “Rickets”Iron Deficiency AnemiaInadequate Calcium Intake
Common Dietary Deficiencies
13
http://s3.amazonaws.com/citybuzz/2014/06/moveto-alaska/mvoeto-alaska-1.jpg
http://static.trunity.net/files/120001_120100/120054/320px-Figure11.15_bowhead_whale_harvest_alaska.JPG
Transition from traditional foods towards a westernized diet.
Increase in store bought foodsTraditional foods are nutrient dense vs.
calorically dense processed foods. Excessive intake of Saturated Fats and Simple Carbohydrates.
Nutritional Inadequacies 12
http://d1jrw5jterzxwu.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/article_media/chips.jpg
Obesity Epidemic Both Adult and Pediatric Population1.6 times more likely to be obese than
Caucasian Americans66% of adult population is overweight/obese
Type II Diabetes MellitusCardiovascular DiseaseHypertensionCancer
Alaskan Native Health Concerns 14,15
Increasing at an alarming rateA study completed in 2009 by the Alaskan
Department of Health and Social Services estimated 27% of high school students were overweight/obese.
It is estimated that 40% of these overweight or obese children have already developed two cardiovascular disease risk factorsHypertension and Hypercholesterolemia
Pediatric Obesity 16
Contamination of wild foodsNo systematic way to test wild foods
Food Safety 17
http://mediad.publicbroadcasting.net/p/kdlg/files/201406/pile_o'_smelt_-_Clark_Fair.jpghttp://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-
live/photos/000/166/cache/pollution02-oil-slick-alaska_16635_600x450.jpg
Geographical locationFishing Industry
2.3 Billion in revenue in 2011Provides economic stability to
the region>50% of U.S. seafood is from
AlaskaMission of Alaska is to
continue supporting and maximizing the benefits of “self-renewing” resources to support future generations.
Impact on U.S. Diet 18, 19
http://smallshipalaskacruises.com/images/large/image_504.jpg
Top Nutrition Related Economic Barriers 21
1. Food access2. Income3. Retail
development
on tribal land
http://www.friendsinthedesert.com/2014/12/22/food-insecurity/
1) Food Access Concerns
Low income prevalenceLand tenures limiting
non tribal retail developmentDistance to grocersLimited food options
Walking Distance to Grocers 21
25.6% live walking distance to a grocer compared to 58.6% of Americans
Average distance is 3.3 miles
Nutrition Assistance Program Availability 21
Those with low income, a household without a vehicle, or are among the elderly often live > 10 miles from a SNAP authorized market.
Of the 27% of AIAN served by the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), only 26.8% were within 10 miles of a program service center
2) Income 21
AIAN have the second highest unemployment rate in the U.S. at 14.6%
31.4% AIAN have incomes at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
11.4% 200% below the FPL do not own a vehicle
3) Difficulty with Retail Development and Maintenance 21
Tribal trust landsLow income residentsLow population density
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs141p2_024362.pdf
Policies Affecting Tribal Diets
Indian country jurisdictions
Federal nutrition assistance programs
Lets Move! Indian Country
What is Indian Country? 18 U.S.C 1151All land within the limits of an Indian
reservation under the jurisdiction of the United States government
All dependent Indian communities, such as the New Mexico Pueblos
All Indian allotments still in trust, whether they are located within reservations or not.
Bureau of Indian Affairs 22
Serves 1.9 million AIAN Oversees all tribal programs benefiting
Native American populations.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program 23
The largest federal nutrition assistance program
in the U.S.
Serves low income individuals and families with
monthly income at or below 130% of the FPL.
Receive monthly funds via electronic benefit
card for use at authorized food stores.
Alaska is benefited additional hunting and
fishing supplies benefits.
National School Lunch Program 20
Largest used federal nutrition program with
Alaskan Natives in 2009
Serves 550,000 children free or reduced
price school lunches.20
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations 24,25
Food assistance program alternative to SNAP
Services tribal areas with populations less than
10,000
Serves 19 of the 208 Alaska tribal communities
Monthly food packages are delivered to the
participant’s home
Offers 80 products including: fresh produce, meats,
pastas, dairy, eggs, and frozen foods
Offer nutrition education grants annually
2009 FDPIR Nutritional Adequacy 24
Offered 99% population estimated nutritional
needs
Delivered 86%~ of their estimated nutrition
needs
Met 100% DRI for protein, carbohydrates,
vitamin C, B vitamins and iron in 2009.
Alaska Area Indian Health Service 26
Tribal health care service
MISSION: “Raise the physical, mental, social,
and spiritual health of American Indians and
Alaska Natives and ensure availability of
culturally acceptable public health services.”
Provides the Healthy Weight for Life program
Lets Move! Indian Country
27
Subunit of the 2013 “Lets Move!” campaign
Goal: To Improve tribal community program
participation and health
Aims to decrease food insecurity by:
Supporting farmers
Farmers markets
Community gardens
Organizing food pantries
Further develop food policy.
http://lmic.ihs.gov/default/includes/themes/lmictheme/images/LMIIC_logo.png
Alaska Natives have a unique cultural history Alaska Natives work to balance their
traditional sustainable living with changes and “Americanization” of their lifestyle.
With new federal programs in place, hopefully the native Alaskan culture will continue to help savor their native culture while improving food security, access and improve health outcomes.
Summary
1. Alaska Public Land Information Centers Staff. Timeline of Alaska’s History. Alaska Public Land Information Centers. http://www.alaskacenters.gov/alaska-timeline.cfm. Accessed February 10, 2015.
2. Roderick L, ed. Do Alaska Native People Get Free Healthcare?.Ankorage, AK:University of Alaska Anchorage; 2008
3. Alaska Web Staff. Alaska Native Groups and Cultures. Alaska Web. http://alaskaweb.org/native/gps&cults.htm. Published 2014. Accessed February 10, 2015.
4. Kittler PG, Sucher KP. Cultural Foods: Traditions and Trends. Wadsworth; Belmont,CA; 2000
5. Ballew C, Ross A, Wells RS, Hiratsuka V. The Final Report on the Traditional Alaska Diet Survey http://www.nativescience.org/assets/Documents/PDF%20Documents/ATDP_final.pdf. Published March 2004. Accessed February 10, 2015
References
6. Ho KJ, Mikkelson B, Lewis LA, Feldman SA, Taylor CB. Alaskan Arctic Eskimo: responses to a customary high fat diet. Am J Clin Nutr. 1972;25(8):737-45.
7. Alaska Department of Fish and Game Staff. Subsistence Fishing. The State of Alaska. http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=subsistence.main. Published 2015. Accessed February 10, 2015
8. Gahagan K. Alaska Natives try to keep old foodways alive in land of food pyramid. Al Jazeera America. Accessed February 15, 2015, from http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/7/12/alaska-natives-trytokeepoldfoodwaysaliveinlandoffoodpyramid.html
9. Bersamin A, Luick BR, King IB, Stern JS, Zidenberg-cherr S. Westernizing diets influence fat intake, red blood cell fatty acid composition, and health in remote Alaskan Native communities in the center for Alaska Native health study. J Am Diet Assoc. 2008;108(2):266-73.
References cont.
10. Bersamin A, Luick BR, Ruppert E, Stern JS, Zidenberg-cherr S. Diet quality among Yup'ik Eskimos living in rural communities is low: the Center for Alaska Native Health Research Pilot Study. J Am Diet Assoc. 2006;106(7):1055-63.
11. Pehrsson R, Johnson J, Nobmann E, Amy L, Haytowitz D, Holden J. Sampling and Analysis of Alaska Native Subsistence Foods. United States Department of Agriculture web site. http://ars.usda.gov/SP2UserFiles/Place/80400525/Articles/EB05_AlaskaFoods.pdf. Published 2005. Accessed February 14, 2015.
12. Rosen Y. Shift from traditional foods takes toll on Alaskan Native Populations. Alaska Dispatch News. September 2014. http://www.adn.com/article/20140928/shift-traditional-foods-takes-toll-alaska-native-populations. Accessed February 14, 2015.
13. Singleton R, Lescher R, Benson M, et al. Vitamin D Deficiency and Rickets among Alaska Native Children. State of Alaska Epidemiology web site. http://www.epi.hss.state.ak.us/bulletins/docs/b2014_06.pdf. Published May 2014. Accessed February 13, 2015.
References cont.
14. Johnson J, Nobmann E, Asay E, Lanier A. Dietary Intake of Alaska Native People in Two Regions and Implications for Health: The Alaska Native Dietary and Subsistence Food Assessment Project. Int J Circumpolar Health. 2009; 68(2):109-122.
15. Goetz G. Nutrition a Pressing Concern for American Indians. Food Safety News web site. http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2012/03/nutrition-a-pressing-concern-for-american-indians/#.VM53FGTF-mE. Published March 5, 2012. Accessed February 13, 2015.
16. Fenaughty A, Fink K, Peck D, Utermohle C. Childhood Obesity in Alaska. Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health, Section of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. 2009; 2-14.
17. Wolfe R. Subsistence Food Harvest in Rural Alaska, and Food Safety Issues. Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Subsistence. 1996; 1-4.
References cont.
18. Alaska’s Fishing Industry. Resource Development Council for Alaska web site. http://www.akrdc.org/issues/fisheries/overview.html. Updated 2014. Accessed February 14, 2015.
19. State Exports via Alaska. U.S. Department of Commerce web site. http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/statistics/state/data/ak.html. Updated June 2014. Accessed February 14, 2015.
20. Gordon A, Oddo V, Ranalli A. Addressing child hunger and obesity in Indian Country: Report to Congress Summary. USDA - Office of Research and Analysis. 2012 Jan. Available from: http://www.fns.usda.gov/addressing-child-hunger-and-obesity-indian-country-report-congress
21. Kaufman P, Dicken C, Williams R. Measuring access to healthful, affordable food in american indian and alaska native tribal areas. [internet] USDA Economic Research Service. December 2014. 1-28 Available from: http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/eib-economic-information-bulletin/eib-131.aspx
References cont.
22. What We Do [internet]. Indian Affairs - U.S. Department of the Interior. 2015. Available from: http://www.bia.gov/WhatWeDo/index.htm
23. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Eligibility [internet]. United States Department of Agriculture – Food and Nutrition Service. 2014 Oct. Available from: http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/eligibility
24. Zimmerman T, Sun B, Hu J, Dixit-Joshi S, Eaker E. Nutrient and MyPyramid Analysis of USDA foods in the NSLP, CACFP, CSFP, TEFAP, and FDPIR. WESTAT. United States Department of Agriculture – Food and Nutrition Service. 2011 Aug. Available from: http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/NutrientMyPyramid.pdf
25. USDA Office of Communications [internet]. Native American. United States Department of Agriculture – Food and Nutrition Service. 2012. Available from: http://www.fns.usda.gov/tags/native-american
References cont.
26. Indian Health Service [internet] The Federal Health Program for American Indians and Alaska Natives. Available from: http://www.ihs.gov/
27. A Call to Action for Indian Country. Lets Move! [internet] Available from: http://www.letsmove.gov/sites/letsmove.gov/files/LMIC_CalltoActionFinal.pdf
References cont.