image courtesy of Joshua KalluK
Imagine the desperation in asking the following question on Facebook:
“We bought a Maple Leaf Klik from our local Northern store and the best before date is 2008. Is that safe to eat? “
The first reply starts off gently with, ” Hi Son, I don’t think that’s safe to eat.”
{CHECK OUT THE PRICES IN THE IMAGES HERE FOR A REAL QUICK GLANCE OF WHAT THIS ARTICLE IS SAYING]
OK, I have issues with food. It feels like I pay too much for it and I eat too much of it and anything green intimidates me. I’m not a savvy chef and at this point my kids are just so grateful that I cook at all they’ll eat anything I place in front of them.
But at least I don’t have to contemplate the reality of this mans questions
But after reading the Huffington Post tonight about the rising costs of food in the North, the only thing I’ll be eating for awhile is humblepie. They are having a real problem with the cost of purchasing groceries, even with subsidies in place. And I’m worried about whether I should order Thai or Pizza. Oy.
Image courtesy of Veronica P Nutarakittuq/Facebook
There are so many implications here. I don’t know the intricacies or what efforts have already been attempted to fix this. But I did feel helpless and frustrated and mainly embarrassed that in my country this is happening.
So I changed the cover on my facebook page and sent out a few tweets.
It is pointless . 
I want/need everyone to care about this as much as I do. This is not a looming healthcare crisis, this is one occurring right now, just a bit north of here. As a parent this makes me weep and as a Canadian just learning about it, this makes me cringe.
I am the first to admit I know nothing about this problem. I saw some terrifying slide-shows and read an article about the North. I also know that my own grocery bills have gone up considerably. But I was disgusted with the inaccuracies and blame game that readers left on the cbc.ca page. Things like:
Why don’t you just move! {here’s a reply directly from the Feeding My Family organization trying to raise awareness}
Well, your ancestors managed! here’s a reply directly from the Feeding My Family organization trying to raise awareness}
There is actually a facebook page together to support this community as they address the rising cost of feeding their families. From their page:
The majority of us in the Arctic are carrying enormous burdens and are trying our best with limited means and resources to feed our families and to build a more sustainable future. We face very complex challenges, systematic barriers and a slew of compounding factors that affect all living costs. We are not able to employ many of the usual fixes for food insecurity, especially in the short-term, (such as greenhouses) due to extreme cold conditions, limited sunlight, remoteness of the 25 communities that are spread over 2million square kilometers (of permafrost land), and mostly because of the blindingly high construction and maintenance costs.
I wrote this very quickly and emotionally – with the kindness and skills of Maranda Carvell - She was just as angry and terrified as I was. But I also wrote this quickly and am sure I have left out crucial information. I am thinking of what action I can take to learn more and help. I have joined their facebook page to listen for now. If you have any other suggestions, resources, ideas or concerns please let me know!
feedmyfamily.org
August 27, 2012
It’s very disappointing that the Federal Government doesn’t seem to think it’s a concern. They ignored suggestions and comments from the UN Report on Food Security and they didn’t allow the report writer to visit the North in May. Overall, this is a huge disgrace.
Is there any way other than increasing awareness and pressure on the federal government that we can help?
August 27, 2012
I am amazed at this article. Imagine having to feed a family with 4 kids. We are so blessed with where we live and have such easy access to food. The price of water is so high that it is scary. Especially the cost of water at 104.00 a case! I will read about this some more. Thanks for bringing this to our attention Marci.
August 27, 2012
And then the government has the gaul to send in a richly employed ‘manager’ to oversee the finances in communities that aren’t even as remote as in your post, like Attawapiskat.
Its not just the cost of the food in these communities, when they only have road access for a few months a year, sending construction materials for housing becomes a major task with incredible cost.
In high school I worked for Zellers at West Edmonton Mall, families would drive more than 24 hours to do a once a year shopping trip. Driving most of the route on dirt roads, everything was triple bagged but was still covered in dust when they got home.
Our government needs to step up with a long term plan that is of utmost urgency, building housing for the climate that is affordable enough for people to live in with pride. Where food is subsidized enough that these communities pay similar if not lower prices as the rest of Canada. The government needs to see these communities as a commodity helping them in every way possible. I am willing to pay a little more in my taxes if I knew the money was going directly to building the North, because in Canada we shouldn’t have malnourished children.
August 27, 2012
Oh my goodness, Marci, I feel sick just seeing those numbers. How on earth do these parents feed their families? Thank you for posting this. I’ll spread the word too.
August 27, 2012
Thank you for sharing this Marci. I had heard of this recently and was shocked at how expensive everything was. I think it’s time our government stepped up and did something to help these people. Kudos to you for writing about it! I’ll share with all my followers as well!
August 27, 2012
Here’s a news article that explains a bit about the food subsidy plan, how it’s changed and more http://blog.yourmoney.ca/2012/06/a-five-kilogram-bag-of-flour-costs-what-in-nunavut.html
August 27, 2012
Thank you very much for your interest in our site, which is dedicated to the hungry and people who are less fortunate and in desparate need of affordable food. This has been going on for a long time, every since we were forced to move to settlements that, topographically were not even suitable by Inuit standards but were moved anyway, by slaughtering their dogs and forcing them into lack of housing and food. Forced to make it on their own, and we survived as we always have by adapting. Hunger is nothing new to us and that is why we are re-inforcing theis belief through a new medium and spreading the word of our need for help to lower prices as we enter into a internationally food shortage. Please and thank you.
August 27, 2012
Please look these organizations up: Qikiqtani Inuit Assoiciation; Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami; Nunavut Tunggavik Corporation; Goverment of Nunavut; also, there dog slaughter reports are under: Qikiqtani Truth Commission; Truth and Reconsiliation Commission.