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Maitjara Wangkanyi: Insights from an Ethnographic Study of Food Practices of Households in Remote Australian Aboriginal Communities

Author

Listed:
  • Suzanne Bryce

    (Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women’s Council, Alice Springs NT 0871, Australia)

  • Inawantji Scales

    (Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women’s Council, Alice Springs NT 0871, Australia)

  • Lisa-Maree Herron

    (School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston QLD 4029, Australia)

  • Britta Wigginton

    (School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston QLD 4029, Australia)

  • Meron Lewis

    (School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston QLD 4029, Australia)

  • Amanda Lee

    (School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston QLD 4029, Australia)

  • Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women’s Council

    (Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women’s Council, Alice Springs NT 0871, Australia)

Abstract

Many historical, environmental, socioeconomic, political, commercial, and geographic factors underscore the food insecurity and poor diet-related health experienced by Aboriginal people in Australia. Yet, there has been little exploration of Aboriginal food practices or perspectives on food choice recently. This study, with 13 households in remote communities on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, fills this gap using ethnographic and Indigenist methods. Results highlight Anangu resourcefulness, securing food despite poverty and adversity, and provide unique insights into factors influencing the three major types and range of dietary patterns identified. These factors include household economic cycles and budgeting challenges; overcrowding and family structures, mobility and ‘organization’; available food storage, preparation and cooking infrastructure; and familiarity and convenience. Structural and systemic reform, respecting Aboriginal leadership, is required to improve food security.

Suggested Citation

  • Suzanne Bryce & Inawantji Scales & Lisa-Maree Herron & Britta Wigginton & Meron Lewis & Amanda Lee & Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women’s Council, 2020. "Maitjara Wangkanyi: Insights from an Ethnographic Study of Food Practices of Households in Remote Australian Aboriginal Communities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-22, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:21:p:8109-:d:439416
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Joanna Henryks & Julie Brimblecombe, 2016. "Mapping Point-of-Purchase Influencers of Food Choice in Australian Remote Indigenous Communities," SAGE Open, , vol. 6(1), pages 21582440166, February.
    2. Carlson, Andrea & Frazao, Elizabeth, 2012. "Are Healthy Foods Really More Expensive? It Depends on How You Measure the Price," Economic Information Bulletin 142357, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
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    Cited by:

    1. Booth, Sue & Deen, Caroline & Thompson, Kani & Kleve, Sue & Chan, Ellie & McCarthy, Leisa & Kraft, Emma & Fredericks, Bronwyn & Brimblecombe, Julie & Ferguson, Megan, 2023. "Conceptualisation, experiences and suggestions for improvement of food security amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents and carers in remote Australian communities," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 320(C).

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