Benefits of Traditional Alaska Native Foods
By Southcentral Foundation Corporate Communication
Alaska Native foods nourish our bodies, minds, and spirits and support us in working toward whole-person wellness.
Southcentral Foundation’s Vision is a Native Community that enjoys physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness. Preparing, learning about, and enjoying traditional foods contribute to whole-person wellness.
Loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, Alaska Native foods are typically prepared without added sugars, additives, or artificial preservatives, and because they are often fresh, they are loaded with nutrients. Traditional foods can also have anti-inflammatory or immune-boosting effects and reduce risks for chronic diseases like diabetes, cancers and cardiovascular disease.
Collecting and harvesting food connects with the rhythm of the seasons and requires physical activity that exercises the body and helps control weight. For example, a cup of blueberries contains only 85 calories, but has four grams of fiber and 25% of the daily requirement of vitamin C. Lean proteins like caribou or moose help build strong muscles and contain only small amounts of fat, which leads to healthier hearts and minds.
Eating and harvesting plants and animals from the land also supports mental health. Research shows that spending time in nature leads to more positive emotions and less anxiety. Studies have also linked Omega 3 fatty acids, like those found in salmon, and antioxidants like those found in blueberries, to decreased rates of depression and cognitive decline. Both body and mind stay strong.
Sharing traditional foods brings people together and creates moments of joy; it provides opportunities to share good times with family members and loved ones. Memories are created and traditional knowledge is passed down. Putting away food during times of seasonal abundance creates resilience and peace of mind in knowing that hard times can be weathered. Sharing the harvest brings happiness to those giving and those receiving.
In addition, Alaska Native foods are intertwined with identity, culture, and spirituality. Ceremonies, songs, stories, and dances celebrate the plants, animals, and people who rely on them. Indigenous foods inspire art and foster a spiritual connection to the land and ancestors, connecting the present with traditional lifeways and Alaska Native knowledge. In harvesting, preparing, and sharing foods in this way, the health and stories of Alaska Native people lives on in the next generation.
To learn more, view the Traditional Healing Clinic Cultural Class schedule here. Cultural classes are opportunities for customer-owners and employees to connect with their Indigenous ways of living through practicing traditional skills.
