A Method for Estimating Caribou Consumption by Northern Canadians

Abstract

Caribou is an important source of protein in the diet of northern Canadians. It is also an important pathway for airborne environmental contaminants that concentrate in the lichen - caribou - human food chain. We present a method for estimating caribou consumption that is independent of questionnaires and dietary surveys. The method is based on direct, whole-body measurements of fallout radiocesium in northern caribou consumers and on measurements of the concentrations of radiocesium in the meat. From the 1989-90 surveys of five Arctic communities, we obtained the following mean (90th percentile) intakes of caribou meat in grams per day: Baker Lake - males 65 (141), females 41 (88); Rae-Edzo - males 42 (103), females 31 (80); Old Crow - males 41 (108), females 23 (59); Fort McPherson - males 41 (77), females 32 (68); Aklavik - males 20 (47), females 15 (37). Compared with surveys carried out in the late 1960s, these values indicate a twofold to fourfold decrease in caribou consumption over a period of 20 years. A dietary survey questionnaire administered during the 1989-90 survey provided useful information on the consumption of various caribou organs, methods of meat preparation, and consumption of other traditional foods.