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Food Crisis in Fort Chipewyan Averted by Good Hunting Opportunities and Food Drops

Fort Chipewyan came close to a food crisis a few weeks ago after the wildfire caused the evacuation of Fort McMurray, with Mikisew Cree First Nation Chief Steve Courtoreille warning that the small hamlet could be completely out of food within 5 days if something was not done about the problem. More people meant more food was needed, and many hit the only grocery store in Fort Chipewyan to stock up before supplies became scarce. Many worried that this could have a devastating impact on food prices, with the cost rising and many who have a limited income suffering as a result. The smoke from the wildfire sent an abundance of geese north into the hunting area for the group though, and the hunters were quick to take advantage. According to 32 year old Cree trapper Robert Grandjambe “I’ve been contacted by people who haven’t contacted me before, looking for some meat. The food situation is not so bad now. But people are so dependent nowadays on the store and this really triggers awareness.”

Those who rely solely on the Fort Chipewyan grocery store often face shock over prices, with 10 pounds of potatoes priced at up to $25 and a pint of blueberries costing around $11. Any upward movement of food prices could severely impact the ability of seniors and low income residents to afford enough food. Thanks to regular food drops prices have stayed stable right now but the hunting by First Nation members definitely helps the food stretch further. According to Fort Chipewyan Metis vice president Blue Eyes Simpson “The food situation is becoming pretty stable right now. The Northern has groceries trucked into Vermillion that are then flown in. There are planes with groceries that are dispersed to evacuees.”

The Food Crisis in the Athabasca Oilsands is Getting Worse

The Athabasca oilands area is experiencing a food crisis that continues to get worse due to the limited shopping options and the remote location that many residents in the oilsands area find themselves in. When the Fort Chipewyan Winter Road opens many residents will drive over 200 kilometres in order to shop at a Northwest Territories grocery store in order to save money and access healthier food choices. Fort Chipewyan only has a single grocery store, the Northern, and the store supplies can be expensive because of the costs involved in getting the food to the store. According to Joe Marten “It costs me about $100 to fill one shopping bag of food at the Northern. I can maybe fill up to three bags with that same amount of money if I shop up north.”

In the Athabasca oilsands the food crisis is keenly felt by many. According to the Wood Buffalo Food Bank more than 7,000 people needed help with food in October of 2015 alone, and this is an increase of 70% over the same time period of the previous year. Around 30%-35% of the clients served by the Wood Buffalo Food Bank are under 18 years old. To make matters worse the aboriginal population in the area no longer hunts, traps, and fishes the way that they used to. The concerns over pollution and the safety of consuming the fish and local wildlife, as well as the long hours and commutes to work camps that many aboriginal residents face for employment, have caused hunting and fishing rates to drop as well. This only worsens the food crisis and causes additional issues with the food supply.