Table A3.

Contextual findings and future research

No.AuthorsJournalFocus of studyMethodsResearch contextFindings supporting the literatureFuture research
PeoplesRegionsFoods
1Ahmed et al., 2024 Rural and Remote HealthThis paper explores the goose harvesting programme, rooted in traditional food practices and its impact on wellbeingQualitative–community-based participatory research (photovoice and semi-structured interviews)5 First Nations women expertsFort Albany First Nations, Subarctic Ontario, CanadaTraditional food, specifically gooseInitiatives based on customary food practices play an integral role in engaging community members and revitalising Indigenous cultural values that contribute to holistic wellbeingFuture food programmes should recognise the essential role of Indigenous women in supporting the intergenerational transmission of knowledge to address food insecurity and enhance wellbeing
2Carter et al., 2025 Arctic ScienceThis paper examines the cultural significance of country foods for Inuit and explores their seasonal harvestingQualitative–community-based participatory research (workshop: semi-structured interviews and individual interviews)14 communities across three Inuit regions in Arctic Canada 133 Inuit participantsInuvialuit Settlement Region Nunavut Nunavik (Quebec)Traditional foodsSharing and eating country food strengthens community bonds, supports physical and mental wellbeing and reinforces food sovereigntyThis study emphasises the need for policies and initiatives that support harvesting and shared consumption of country foods to promote overall wellbeing
3Caughey et al., 2024 Arctic ScienceThis research explores the meaning and significance of country food in the context of community wellbeingQualitative–community-based participatory research (in-depth conversational interviews and focus groups)10 Inuit women over age 50Qikiqtani region of NunavutTraditional foodTraditional food sharing practices are attributed to wellbeing, social connection, cultural identity and food securityFuture interventions can be strengthened by incorporating traditional values that align with health and environmental policies
4Collings, 2011ArcticThis paper uses a social network analysis to examine whether food-sharing patterns are influenced by climate change or other external stressors, such as shifting economic and social conditionsMixed method – quantitative network analysis and qualitative ethnographic research and interviews14 Inuit menUlukhaktok: Northwest Territories, CanadaTraditional food store-bought foodTraditional food sharing practices are adaptable to environmental conditions but remain vulnerable to political and economic changesNot applicable
5Collings et al., 1998 ArcticThis paper compares and analyses historical ethnographic accounts with contemporary food-sharing social networks to understand the patterns of changeQualitative – mixed method: ethnographic research, interviews, historical ethnographic accounts20 households in the Inuit community of HolmanVictoria Island, CanadaTraditional foodThis paper compares several types of sharing practices and finds that customary Indigenous food practices have declined due to modernisation, wage economies and cultural shiftsNot applicable
6Dombrowski et al., 2013 Arctic AnthropologyThis paper analyses kin-based food sharing practices, comparing traditional and store-bought foodMixed method – quantitative social network analysis and qualitative interviews330 adult residents of the Inuit communityLabrador, CanadaTraditional and store-bought foodThis paper finds that kin-based sharing is highly reciprocal and frequent in both traditional and store-bought foodNot applicable
7Fillion et al., 2014 International Journal of Circumpolar HealthThe article aims to develop a strategic plan to address food security while strengthening cultural food practices and empowering communitiesQualitative – participatory approach (workshops and group discussions)23 Inuit participantsInuvialuit settlement regionTraditional foodThis paper offers several recommendations for developing community-driven food initiatives that build capacity to revitalise food-sharing practices and enhance food securityFuture research and interventions should adopt interdisciplinary and multi-sectoral approaches to developing food initiatives
8Guo et al., 2015 International Journal of Circumpolar HealthThis paper examines factors contributing to the decline of food-sharing networks and rising food insecurity in urban communitiesQuantitative – cross-sectional household surveysInuit and non-Inuit householdsIqaluit, NunavutTraditional foodBarriers such as unemployment, rising prices, socio-cultural changes, migration and environmental changes are hindering customary food-sharing networks from reducing food insecurityThis study emphasises the need for collaborative approaches involving multiple governmental agencies and community organisations to address food insecurity
9Harder and Wenzel, 2012 ArcticThis paper examines the changes in food sharing practices over time in the context of a mixed economyQualitative – mixed method: ethnographic research, interviews and conversations10 Inuit households and 69 individualsQikiqtaaluk Region of Nunavut, CanadaTraditional foodThis paper finds that kinship networks continue to govern food distribution and highlights that Indigenous practices of food sharing buffer social inequalities and climate challengesAdopting Indigenous food practices can help address food insecurity
10Hovelsrud-Broda, 1999 Arctic AnthropologyThis paper explores the critical role of food sharing as a link between past and present cultural systems and survivalMixed method: qualitative observations and quantitative secondary data analysisInuitIsertoq, East GreenlandTraditional food store-bought foodCustomary food sharing practices typically occur within closely related households, governed by kinship ties and reciprocity. The study also found that store-bought food sharing is non-existentNot applicable
11Kawharu, 2020 MAI JournalThis paper explores the opportunities that food initiatives based on traditional food practices can createQuantitative – survey200 surveys with Māori participantsNorthland: Aotearoa, New ZealandTraditional foodTheir findings suggest that food initiatives rooted in Indigenous food practices can reconnect and re-engage communities with cultural knowledge and values that are essential for food sovereigntyThis article emphasises the need for infusing Indigenous and contemporary knowledges to strengthen existing food systems by exploring Indigenous concepts of reciprocity and environmental stewardship to inform the circular economy
12Lardea et al., 2011 Rural and Remote HealthThe purpose of this study is to understand the effects of newly introduced food initiatives in an Indigenous localityQualitative – participatory action research (photovoice, workshops, group discussions and field notes)Five Inuit men and three womenIqaluit, Nunavut, CanadaTraditional food store-bought foodFood initiatives act as vital support networks within the community, creating community solidarity and contributing to food securityThere is a need to develop more intervention that not only focuses on improving food security but also contributes to improving the community’s wellbeing. Additionally, such programmes should incorporate support mechanisms to help those in need
13Martin, 2011 International Journal of Circumpolar HealthThis paper develops the understanding of the relationship between food and culture and how it shapes overall healthQualitative – interviews and focus groups (storytelling approach)Inuit participants: eight young adults, eight middle-adults and eight EldersLabrador, CanadaTraditional foodThis study highlights that food sharing plays an integral role in the transmission of generational knowledge that is vital to maintaining a healthy lifestyleThe future food programmes can benefit from the cultural food practices, allowing conventional approaches to be rethought by connecting food to wellbeing
14McMillan and Parlee, 2013 ArcticThis paper explores the changes in food sharing practices between two forms of hunting: community-organised and household-arranged huntsMixed method – quantitative network analysis and qualitative ethnography, interviews and conversationsFirst Nations: community hunt: 10 households and 15 participants. Household-organised hunts: 7 households and 10 participantsFort Good Hope, Northwest Territories, CanadaTraditional foodFindings identify several motives and forms of food sharing, such as sharing by request, sharing as giftingAdopting Indigenous food sharing practices to manage food resources can potentially address the needs of people experiencing vulnerability
15Natcher, 2019 Hunter Gatherer ResearchThis research quantifies the harvest of country foods and their distributionQuantitative – mixed methods; surveys and network analysis879 First Nations householdsAlberta, CanadaTraditional foodThis study identifies several barriers to harvesting traditional food that negatively affect food sharing practices. Their findings indicate that sharing practices are diminishing due to changes in socio-economic conditions, land allocation to industries and government policiesCultural food practices should be used for sustainable development motives and to enhance the wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples
16Natcher et al., 2021 Hunter Gatherer ResearchThis paper examines First Nations households’ engagement in mixed economies aimed at changing economic and ecological conditions and its impact on their vulnerabilityQuantitative – exploratory research surveys1268 First Nations household surveysPeace River region of British Columbia and Alberta, CanadaTraditional foodThis paper highlights several barriers to customary food practices and the decline in food sharing networks. Their findings show that changing economic and environmental conditions are increasing vulnerability and food insecurity among First NationsThis study calls for targeted interventions to uplift the wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples
17Neill and Toloke, 2021 Journal of the Polynesian SocietyThe paper explores traditional food as a marker of Tongan identity and examines how it sustains cultural norms and traditional identity over time and placePasifika research methodology (Talanoa): extended open-ended conversations3 Tongan expertsAotearoa New ZealandTraditional foodThis study highlights that cultural ways of preparing and sharing food are shaped by time and place, but in essence, it maintain cultural identityNot applicable
18Neufeld and Richmond, 2020 Current Developments in NutritionThis study examines the historical context of the present-day food environment, revealing that colonial disruptions have contributed to food insecurity and cultural loss among Indigenous PeoplesQualitative–community-based participatory research (life history interviews and open-ended conversations)18 First Nations Elder womenOntario, CanadaTraditional foodThis study highlights several barriers to cultural food sharing practices that contribute to food insecurity, including changes in the social environment stemming from structural discrimination, displacement and cultural disconnectionThis study emphasises the development of food programmes to revitalise Indigenous food practices
19Moeke-Pickering et al., 2015MAI JournalThe paper explores Māori food security and sovereignty, focusing on revitalising cultural food practices to address food insecurity and promote holistic wellbeing in Aotearoa New ZealandMāori research methodology: interviews and photographs10 Māori participantsEastern Bay of Plenty region, Aotearoa, New ZealandTraditional foodThis paper reveals that food security is rooted in cultural practices of food sharing and is essential to uplift wellbeing of people and the planetThis study highlights that framing Indigenous food sharing in food programmes can help build resilient communities
20Quintal-Marineau, 2019 Hunter Gatherer ResearchThis paper explores the contemporary practices of food sharing within Indigenous communities, focusing on the sharing of store-bought foodQualitative – mixed method: field work (diaries) and interviews82 Inuit interview participants and 76 dairiesClyde River, NunavutStore-bough foodThis paper finds that store-bought food is becoming an integral resource for communal feasts and meal-sharing events. Furthermore, it is shared as gifts, hosting meals and accounts on food stores are also sharedNot applicable
21Omura, 2023 Hunter Gatherer ResearchThis study explores the Inuit worldview on food practices and the role of child sharing in distributing food within extended familiesQualitative – mixed method: ethnographic research and interviewsInuitNunavut, CanadaTraditional foodThis paper concludes that food sharing practices are central to the Inuit subsistence system. Food is shared to show respect for wildlife. By sharing food, Inuit prevent the establishment of a hierarchical structure that reduces inequalityNot applicable
22Rana et al., 2024 International Journal of Circumpolar HealthThis paper highlights the role of Indigenous sharing practices during crises to uplift the community’s wellbeingQualitative–community-based participatory research (interviews)70 Inuit ParticipantsNunavut, a Canadian Arctic territoryCountry food and food hampersCommunity food sharing initiatives provide access to both country and store-bought food during crisis periods, contributing to the community’s wellbeingThis paper urges policymakers to integrate Indigenous knowledge in future food initiatives
23Ready, 2017 Hunter Gatherer ResearchThe paper examines the persistence of cultural food-sharing practices in Inuit social, economic and political life aimed pressures from wage labour and market integrationQualitative – mixed method: ethnographic research, interviews and secondary data110 Inuit householdsNunavut, CanadaTraditional foodIn evolving economic structures, the social relationships sustained through food sharing remain paramount for Inuit communitiesResearchers working with Indigenous communities with transitioning economies should develop frameworks aimed at sustaining traditional food practices
24Tomaselli et al., 2018 ArcticThis paper explores the importance of country food for community residents and its critical role in providing local food securityQualitative–community-based participatory research (interviews, exercises and field notes)23 Inuit and 7 non-InuitVictoria Island, Nunavut, CanadaTraditional and store-bought foodThis paper argues that country food or locally harvested foods are vital for retaining cultural identity, sustaining associated practices and ensuring food securityInterdisciplinary research is needed to preserve cultural practices surrounding locally harvested food that are essential to maintain cultural resilience and improve food security
25Wenzel, 1995 Arctic AnthropologyThis paper provides a comparative analysis of historical and present-day sharing practices among Inuit communitiesQualitative – mixed method: ethnographic research, interviews and historical dataInuitBaffin Island, Nunavut, CanadaTraditional and store-bought foodThis paper finds that the Inuit sharing system is dynamic and bounded by rules and traditional obligations. Despite cultural erosion, Indigenous practices of food sharing remain central to the Inuit community and maintain its holistic wellbeingNot applicable

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