CINE Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems for Health 2009
October 4 – 16, 2009
Bangkok, Thailand
At the International Congress on Nutrition (ICN) in Bangkok, Thailand, in October 2009, CINE held a symposium – Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems and Nutrition: Finding Solutions in Local Cultures and Environments – co-chaired by Drs Harriet Kuhnlein (CINE, McGill University) and Suttilak Smitasiri (Mahidol University, Thailand). We shared the overall program vision, three case study interventions in addition to health and “right to food” aspects of Indigenous Peoples in many areas of the world. In addition to the symposium, a viewing booth continuously showed six 20-minute DVDs that describe six of the case studies and one DVD that describes the overall program (these videos are available for viewing online). The Congress gave us a much needed opportunity to encourage and support authors to complete chapters for the upcoming book Indigenous Peoples Food Systems for Health: Interventions for Health Promotion and Policy (Book 3 in a Series on Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems for Health). The book is due for release in 2010 and will be launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. A link to the book will be available on the CINE website. At the ICN we had a meeting of the International Union of Nutritional Sciences Task Force on Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems and Nutrition where all members present confirmed their interest in the continued work of the Task Force and explored its vision and future direction.
The Satellite Workshop – Culture, Environment and Agriculture for Food Security of Indigenous Peoples: Focus on Asia – was held in the week following the ICN. It was co-chaired by Dr Harriet Kuhnlein and Chief Bill Erasmus (Assembly of First Nations, Canada and CINE Governing Board Chair) and co-hosted by Drs Suttilak Smitasiri and Solot Sirisai (Mahidol University, Thailand). The workshop had three components: a visit to the indigenous Karen community of Sanephong, a formal reflection and sharing of the community visit, and a symposium held at Mahidol University to explore possible collaboration opportunities. Thirty four invited international participants attended the community workshop, and more than 60 academics and community leaders attended the session at Mahidol. Participants included McGill University academics, community partners and students; Mahidol University academics and students; Karen community leaders; and Thai health professionals. Participants were a mix of social scientists and nutrition scientists as well as public health practitioners and indigenous community leaders. All were very appreciative for the opportunity to share experiences promoting local food systems with the indigenous Karen community of Sanephong and to learn from their outstanding and beautifully presented health promotion activities. Representatives of the diverse CINE case study groups found similarities between case studies and that of the Karen case study and were able to share strategies. The exchange of traditional practices and building on them with new ideas was a key outcome appreciated by all. Important highlights included the availability/preservation of biodiversity, the community cooperation and division of labour in preparation/preservation of food and the important role mothers play in nutrition/health of family members. We especially loved the serenade of children’s songs and their traditional dances.