Contaminants in Ndakina: Transfer of Knowledge Related to Contaminants in Traditional W8banaki Food

The W8banaki, or Abenaki, Nation is part of the Algonquian Peoples of northeastern North America. This project was the result of the First Nations Food, Nutrition and Environment Study (FNFNES) and an anthropo‑geographic study of how the W8banakiak use and occupy the land. Both studies suggest there is a diversity of benefits associated with traditional foods and showed a majority of the W8banaki population would like to increase the amount of traditional food in their daily diet. However, they fear their health will be at risk from the consumption of traditional food harvested from the land. This project’s objectives were to address the issue of confidence in traditional food and apply the knowledge about the risks associated with food in the socio-cultural context of the Nation.

The project team synthesized the knowledge available in literature. They created a summary document on traditional W8banaki food, evaluated the implications of the results, and communicated the results to members of the Nation during community events.

The project team found levels of contaminants in traditional food from Ndakina are generally low and at the current rate of consumption, traditional food does not pose a health risk. The team also concluded traditional foods provide many nutritional, physical, cultural, social and economic benefits. To protect health, the team recommended members diversify the species consumed and the sites from where they are harvested. The team also recommended caution regarding consumption of food from major supermarket chains, especially food that is packaged and processed.

The team also concluded the importance of being able to communicate the recommended limits for consumption, in order to prevent health risks. The results of the project led to various recommendations for decision makers as well as for the community members.