In the northern territories, food accessibility is not a problem that can be solely solved by engineers or the construction of a new grocery store. Culturally, foodways are networks. Caribou, berries, and fish entangle intergenerational Indigenous women; their pathways are vast and interconnected, forming expansive territories of land and water stewardship.

The early to mid-20th century was characterized by large-scale planning schemes that sought to impose a shelter mindset onto Arctic lands. Architectural proposals and designs emphasized shielding against the harsh environment, completely ignoring the fact that Gwich’in has lived with climate for millennia. Those who argue that design can ‘give agency’ to a community have definitely not been there.