Household Harvesting, State Policy, and Migration: Evidence from the Survey of Living Conditions in the Arctic

Household harvesting of wild fish and game contributes to food security in indigenous communities across the Arctic, some regions plays an important role cultural identity peoples. The degree which state regulates restricts distribution country foods varies widely, however, this intervention local economies can affect livelihood opportunities. paper hypothesizes that where policy has contributed remaining a culturally embedded strategy, its contribution quality life may influence people remain rural communities, despite potentially lower material living standards. Lacking such linkage, become employer last resort for unable find paying jobs or leave declining better elsewhere. examines association between Survey Living Conditions Arctic (SLiCA) respondents’ intent their community residence household harvesting, cash income from work, other relevant factors. results include both similarities differences residents arctic Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Chukotka. Systematic found appear consistent with hypothesis about toward harvest foods.