Slide Index

In December 1970 Miriam Bell, as coordinator began the Regional Food Education Project, a demonstration grant conducted by the Alaska Federation of Natives, Inc., through the Center for Disease Control, Department of Health, Education and Welfare.

The main goal of the program was to improve the nutrition health status of the Alaska Native population. Improving the nutrition of the population was felt to be an important factor in alleviating disease and early death. The objective of the Regional Food Educator Program was to increase the nutritional information available to the people in villages. Qualified Alaska Natives were chosen for a four month intensive training in food education, after which they were assigned to a particular Indian Health Service Service Area.

They felt four factors were necessary to achieve their goal. 1)The method in which food is made available, 2) amount of food available, 3) quality of food available, and the 4) utilization of food available. They wanted to ensure that these factors were taken in consideration in the context of existing economic, health and social systems in the village and the resource available at the local, state and federal levels.

Working closely with Village Health Aides they sought to educate children, homemakers, shopkeepers, teachers and others the use and potentials of local nutritious foods, as well as encouraging their development and best means of preservation.