Professor Emerita of Human Nutrition
Founding Director, Centre for Indigenous Peoples Nutrition and Environment (CINE)
Tel.: 514-398-7671 or 7830
Fax: 514-398-1020
harriet [dot] kuhnlein [at] mcgill [dot] ca (Email)
Degrees
- LL.D. (hon.) – University of Western Ontario - 2008
- PhD: University of California, Berkeley - 1976
- MSc: University of Oregon, Corvallis - 1969
- BSc: Pennsylvania State University - 1961
Awards and Recognitions
- Appreciation Award – Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and Inuit Circumpolar Conference
- Fellow – International Union of Nutritional Sciences – 2009
- Honorary Fellow – American Society for Nutrition – 2008
- Jack Hildes Medal for Circumpolar Health – International Union of Circumpolar Health – 2003
- Earl Crampton Award for Distinguished Service in Nutrition – McGill University - 2002
Professional Memberships
- Dietitians of Canada
- American Dietetics Association
- American Society for Nutrition
- Canadian Society for Nutrition
- World Public Health Nutrition Association
Current Research
The foundation of Dr. Kuhnlein’s work is bringing recognition to the excellent nutritional qualities of unique, little-known foods experienced by Indigenous Peoples in their local rural settings. In a “first things first” approach Dr. Kuhnlein realized early on that the nutrient composition of Indigenous Peoples food resources must be known before dietary evaluations can be conducted, and before health promotion activities using these resources can be logically planned with a scientific basis. Scientific credibility can stimulate protection of unique food resources and the biodiversity they contribute in contemporary diets and nutrition.
Dr. Kuhnlein’s current work with 12 case studies of grass-roots communities of Indigenous Peoples in 9 countries (Canada, Peru, Colombia, Federated States of Micronesia, Japan, Thailand, India, Kenya and Nigeria) led to a methods procedure available online. This procedure has been widely implemented and is the essential first documentation for food system research and promotion with Indigenous Peoples. A recent publication with the UN FAO documents how the procedure was used in the 12 case studies and shared broadly through the International Union of Nutritional Sciences online. Sentinel earlier work with the Nuxalk Nation in British Columbia demonstrated how promotion of local food of Indigenous People can be used as a platform to deliver nutrition and health education, and build cultural morale for health improvement. The current program is supported by peer-reviewed publications as well as internationally distributed print material (posters) and film and is recognized by several United Nations agencies (FAO, WHO, UNEP-CBD) and The Rockefeller Foundation as important work to move basic scientific knowledge into policy settings affecting Indigenous Peoples.
Publications
To view a list of Dr. Kuhnlein's publications, please click here.
- Peace R, N Hidiroglou, P Jee, D Leggee and H Kuhnlein (2008) Levels of folate, pyridoxine, niacin and riboflavin in traditional foods of Canadian Arctic Indigenous Peoples. J. Food Compos. Anal. 21:474-480.
- Damman S, WB Eide and HV Kuhnlein (2008) Indigenous peoples’ nutrition transition in a right to food perspective Food Policy 33(2): 135-155.
- Englberger L, L Adelino, M Pretrick, B Raynor, J Currie, A Corsi, L Kaufer, B Spegal and HV Kuhnlein (in press) Approaches and lessons learned for promoting dietary improvement in Pohnpei, Micronesia. In: Thompson, B (ed.) Food-based approaches to combatting micronutrient deficiency. United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome.
- Kuhnlein HV (2009) Introduction. Why are Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems Important and why do They Need Documentation? In: Kuhnlein HV, B Erasmus and D Spigelski. Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems: the Many Dimensions of Culture, Diversity and Environment for Nutrition and Health. United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome.
- Egeland GM, G Charbonneau-Roberts, J Kuluguqtuq, J Kilabuk, L Okalik, R Soueida and HV Kuhnlein (2009) Back to the Future: Using Traditional Food and Knowledge to Promote a Healthy Future among Inuit. In: Kuhnlein HV, B Erasmus and D Spigelski. Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems: the Many Dimensions of Culture, Diversity and Environment for Nutrition and Health. United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome.
- Turner NJ, T Harvey, S Burgess and HV Kuhnlein (2009) The Nuxalk Food and Nutrition Program, Coastal British Columbia, Canada: 1981-2006. In: Kuhnlein HV, B Erasmus and D Spigelski. Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems: the Many Dimensions of Culture, Diversity and Environment for Nutrition and Health. United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome.
- Kuhnlein HV, M McDonald, D Spigelski, E Vittrekwa and B Erasmus (2009) Gwich’in Traditional Food for Health: Phase 1. In: Kuhnlein HV, B Erasmus and D Spigelski. Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems: the Many Dimensions of Culture, Diversity and Environment for Nutrition and Health. United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome.
- H Creed-Kanashiro, M Roche, I Tuesta Cerron and HV Kuhnlein (in press) Traditional Food System of an Awajun Community in Peru. In: Kuhnlein HV, B Erasmus and D Spigelski (eds.) Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems: the Many Dimensions of Culture, Diversity and Environment for Nutrition and Health. United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome.
- Kuhnlein HV, B Erasmus and D Spigelski (eds.) (in press) Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems: the Many Dimensions of Culture, Diversity and Environment for Nutrition and Health. United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome.
- Kuhnlein HV, S Smitasiri, S Yesudas, L Bhattacharjee, L Dan and S Ahmed (2004, updated 2006) Documenting Traditional Food Systems of Indigenous Peoples: International Case Studies. Guidelines for Procedures. In collaboration with S Sirisai, P Puwastien, L Daoratanahong, S Dhanamitta, F Zhai, PV Satheesh, G Kothari and F Akhter. online.
- Kuhnlein HV, HM Chan, O Receveur and G Egeland (2002) Canadian Arctic Indigenous Peoples, traditional food systems and POPs. In: Fenge T and D Downey (eds). Northern Lights Against POPs: Combating Toxic Threats at the Top of the World. McGill-Queens’s University Press. pp 22-40. Reprinted in: Kishagami, N. (Ed.) Indigenous Use and Management of Marine Resources. Senri Ethnological Studies. Osaka: National Museum of Ethnology.20.