The nutritional and sociocultural significance of Canada Goose was documented through field research in Wemindji, Quebec and laboratory analyses (proximate composition, trace elements, fatty acids and heavy metals) at McGill University. Consumption of different parts varies by age/gender groups. Cooked flesh samples contained 25.04--36.46 g/100g protein, 6 19--26.35 g/100g fat, 5.58--11.68 mg/100g iron, 2.77--4.81 mg/100g zinc, 4.91--27.59 mg/100g calcium and 0.22--0.75 mg/100g copper. Lung and liver samples contained high amounts of iron (44.24 and 49.18 mg/100g, respectively). Canada goose provides lower amounts of saturated fatty acids and higher amounts of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids as compared to lard. Heavy metal content of Canada goose was found to be very low, with exception of several samples containing high lead levels. Canada goose is a highly valued food, providing important amounts of energy, protein, iron, zinc and copper. This resource also has significance in spiritual, cultural and social life of the Cree.

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The purpose of this study was to explore aboriginal perspectives of diabetes, nutrition and health so as to eventually develop culturally-appropriate means of implementing diabetes prevention and intervention activities. The participants included community members living in an Eastern James Bay Cree community in northern Quebec. In this qualitative research study, in-depth interviews, focus groups, and participant observation were used for data collection. Key themes that emerged from analyzing the in-depth interviews were "re-presented" using "found poetry" so as to capture the participants' experiences and perspectives using their own words. Focus groups were carried out to share the initial findings from the in-depth interviews as well as to elicit additional feedback from the community.

This thesis examines the ways in which Cree women of Waskaganish, James Bay use and understand the concept of tradition in narratives about their lives and changes in their community. The fieldnotes of anthropologist Regina Flannery, completed in the 1930's, serve to orient this research, and provide a starting point for discussion. / As northern communities continue to adapt in the face of social and economic changes, cultural categories such as tradition have concurrently undergone reevaluation. It is argued here that the meanings of tradition have become more complex as Cree women adjust to their changing environment. / It is demonstrated that tradition is used as a narrative tool in descriptions of the past, and a means by which women can discuss change and the future of their community. In addition, tradition currently occupies a significant symbolic space in women's individual cultural identities, and is incorporated in daily life in various ways. Furthermore, tradition has also become an important component of Cree political discourse. Finally, it is apparent that tradition remains a contested category among women themselves, and dissent exists as to the future transmission of traditional practices, language and values. / From this analysis, tradition emerges as a nuanced term that has a number of conceptual modalities. It is suggested that a more comprehensive grasp of complex concepts such as tradition is made possible through the prioritization of personal narratives, and the exploration of the ways in which individuals utilize, comprehend and expand on cultural categories.

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The objectives of this research were to determine the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) among the Cree of James Bay, identify independent risk factors for GDM and infant macrosomia in this population and compare the risk for GDM and infant macrosomia among Cree women with Canadian non-Native women. The prevalence of GDM using the National Diabetes Data Group criteria among the Cree was 12.8% (95% CI: 10.1--15.5), among the highest ever reported for an Aboriginal group. Independent risk factors for GDM among the Cree were advanced age, pregravid overweight and previous GDM. A comparison of risk of GDM between Cree and non-Native women revealed a significant interaction between ethnicity and pregravid weight. Overweight Cree women were at an elevated risk for GDM compared with overweight non-Native women (OR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.3--3.8), whereas the risk for GDM was not statistically different between normal weight Cree and non-Native women (OR: 1.4, 95% CI: 0.7--2.7) after adjusting for age, parity, and smoking status. Mean birth weight among Cree infants was 3859 +/- 519 g, the highest reported for any ethnic group in the world. Macrosomia prevalence was also high at 34.3%. Independent risk factors for macrosomia among the Cree were advanced age, pregravid overweight and GDM. A significant interaction was noted between ethnicity and GDM on risk for macrosomia. GDM increased the risk for macrosomia 4.5-fold among the Cree but had no significant effect among non-Natives. After adjusting for age, parity, pregravid weight, gestational weight gain, GDM, gestational duration and smoking status, Cree infants remained heavier than non-Native infants by 235 g. The results of this research indicate the need to control pregravid obesity through culturally acceptable dietary modifications and exercise in order to minimize the risk for GDM among Cree women. The significant impact of GDM on risk for macrosomia among the Cree calls for the re-evaluation of the existi

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A sustainable primary prevention strategy for infant iron deficiency anemia (IDA) was implemented and evaluated in a community with at-risk infants in northern Quebec, Canada. Communication strategies were used to promote iron-rich complementary food rather than iron-fortified formula, which can interfere with breastfeeding practice. This food-based approach has been successfully implemented in developing countries, but has not been applied in an industrialized country setting. / Mass media (i.e., radio dialogues, key messages, print material, point-of-purchase grocery store display) and interpersonal (i.e., homemade baby food cooking activity) communication strategies were developed in collaboration with community members and implemented in partnership with an existing community program. Reach and exposure of the strategies were measured using a questionnaire administered to a post-intervention sample (n = 45). Sales of promoted iron-rich infant food were examined pre- and post-intervention period. A repeat cross-sectional design was used for the impact evaluation. Two groups of mothers with infants, aged 7-10 months at Time 1 (n = 32) and Time 2 (n = 22) were interviewed. Outcome variables were infants' total iron and complementary food iron intakes measured by two 24-hour recalls. Secular trends in infants' hemoglobin values and milk type consumption were examined in the study community and two comparison communities. / Multiple communication channels increased awareness of IDA and influenced self-reported use of iron-rich infant food. Iron-rich infant food sales increased from pre- to post-intervention (p < 0.05). Complementary food intake iron increased between Time 1 (3.2 +/- 0.8 mg) and Time 2 (4.4 +/- 1.1 mg) (p < 0.05). The proportion of infants with anemia (hemoglobin < 110 g/L) significantly decreased from the period before (37.2%) to during (14.3%) the intervention (p < 0.05). No significant difference was found for this variable within the comparison communities. The proportion of infants receiving iron-fortified formula in the study community did not differ between Time 1 and Time 2, but increased from Time 1 (55%) to Time 2 (73%) (p < 0.05) in the comparison communities, indicating an erosion of breastfeeding practice. / These results suggest the effectiveness of communication strategies to improve infant iron nutrition in a community with good access to iron-rich infant food. The potential for this strategy in other communities warrants further investigation.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and infant macrosomia are important obstetric health concerns for Aboriginal populations in Canada. Previous research in non-Aboriginal populations has established that GDM and macrosomia are associated with increased risk of fetal morbidity. Specifically, GDM is a risk factor for infant macrosomia, hypoglycemia, polycythemia, hypocalcemia, and hyperbilirubinemia. Furthermore, macrosomia is an independent risk factor for shoulder dystocia, clavicular fracture, brachial plexus injury, birth asphyxia and operative delivery. The main objectives of this study were to determine prevalence rates of GDM and macrosomia related neonatal complications for the James Bay Cree population of northern Quebec, and to identify risk factors for specific birth trauma injuries and metabolic complications in the population. The prevalence of macrosomia (≥4500 g) was 10.4%, and the estimated prevalence of GDM was 16.6% (95% CI 14.6-18.6) (n = 229/1379). Shoulder dystocia was the most common birth trauma event among the Cree, affecting 2.5% (n = 42/1650) of all Cree births, and 9.3% (n = 16/172) of macrosomic deliveries ≥4500 g. The prevalence of neonatal hypoglycemia was also high, affecting 8.8% (n = 144/1650) of all Cree newborns, and 18.1% (n = 34/192) of GDM deliveries. Macrosomia (BW ≥ 4500 g) was a significant risk factor for shoulder dystocia, clavicular fracture, hypoglycemia, and caesarean section delivery. After adjusting for maternal age, parity, and gestational age, GDM was identified as a significant risk factor for macrosomia (≥4500 g), hypoglycemia, polycythemia, and hypocalcemia. In summary, this study identified a high incidence of neonatal complications among the James Bay Cree compared with rates in the general North American population. These outcomes can be explained, in part, by high prevalence rates of gestational diabetes and infant macrosomia. Further studies to investigate the long-term consequences of GDM and