Poisoning the body to nourish the soul: Prioritising health risks and impacts in a Native American community

2011

Authors

• Jamie L. Donatuto Swinomish Indian Tribal Community , University of British Columbia Institute for Resources, Environment, and Sustainability
• Terre Satterfield University of British Columbia Institute for Resources, Environment, and Sustainability
• Robin Gregory Decision Research

Description

Current United States government risk assessment and management regulations fail to consider Native American definitions of health or risk. On the invitation of the Coast Salish Swinomish Indian Tribal Community of Washington State, this study examines local meanings of health in reference to seafood where contamination of their aquatic natural resources has been found. By conducting two series of interviews with Swinomish seafood consumers, experts and elders, the study allowed interviewees to provide a more complete picture of the implications of seafood contamination alongside consumption habits within the community. Study results demonstrate that seafood represents a symbolic, deeply meaningful food source that is linked to a multi-dimensional 'Swinomish' concept of health. A health evaluation tool using descriptive scaled rankings was devised to clarify non-physiological health risks and impacts in relation to contaminated seafood. Findings demonstrate that food security, ceremonial use, knowledge transmission, and community cohesion all play primary roles in Swinomish definitions of individual and community health and complement physical indicators of health. Thus, to eat less seafood (as prescribed on the basis of current physiological measures) may actually be detrimental to the Swinomish concept of health.

Health, Risk & Society volume 13 pages 103-127

DOI : 10.1080/13698575.2011.556186

Cited by chapter 6,chapter 9, and usgcrp-climate-human-health-assessment-2016. (reference: 41bc14ce)