“Connected to the land and to each other”: clam harvesting, Inuit community health, and wellbeing in Nunavut

Inuit communities in Nunavut hold deep and intricate relationships with country food that are integral to daily life, health, and wellbeing. Clams ( Mya truncata) (ᐊᒻᒨᒪᔪᐃᑦ) provide important sustenance for many Inuit communities, yet research focused on the role of clams in supporting community health is rare. We sought to characterize clam use in the Qikiqtani region of Nunavut, Canada using a community-led approach, in-depth conversational-style interviews, and reflexive thematic analysis. Inuit knowledge holders expressed the importance of clams for physical and nutritional health, mental and social wellbeing, and community connection and culture. Clams were described as an accessible source of nutrition supporting food sovereignty, while clam harvesting promoted sharing of Inuit knowledge and skills, and a community-centered approach to food systems. Inuit knowledge holders also discussed changing country food systems and the impacts of these changes on diet, sharing practices, and the environment. This research illustrates the holistic relationship that exists between country food systems, community health and wellbeing, and the environment, highlighting not only the importance of clams for Inuit communities but also the critical role of Inuit voices, lived experiences, and perspectives in ecosystem health.