Noon talk to cover indigenous peoples' food systems

Harriet V. Kuhnlein of McGill University will speak on indigenous peoples' food systems at noon Wednesday, Nov. 14, as part of the World Issues Forum.

Indigenous peoples globally who live in rural environments depend on their local ecosystems and cultures for effective nutrition to provide health and well-being. The Centre for Indigenous Peoples’ Nutrition and Environment, of which Kuhnlein is the founding director, developed collaborations with the United Nations to work with 12 cultures of indigenous peoples in nine countries (Canada, Colombia, Federated States of Micronesia, India, Japan, Kenya, Nigeria, Peru and Thailand). The goals were to document local cultural food systems and develop strategies for these resources to improve health and well-being.

Kuhnlein will discuss these issues from noon to 1:20 p.m. in the Fairhaven College Auditorium. Sponsored by Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies and the WWU Anthropology Department. Part of International Education Week 2012.

For more information, contact Shirley Osterhaus at shirley.osterhaus@wwu.edu or call Fairhaven College at 360-650-6680.