Process Evaluation of a Cooking Circle Program in the Arctic: Developing the Mukluk Logic Model and Identifying Key Enablers and Barriers for Program Implementation

This study investigates the implementation of the Nutrition North Canada (NNC)-funded cooking circle program in the Inuvialuit (Inuit) hamlet of Paulatuk, Northwest Territories. The objectives of this study are to co-develop a culturally relevant logic model and to conduct a process evaluation of program implementation to identify and assess key enablers and barriers. The co-developed Mukluk Logic Model played an instrumental role in the conceptualization of the process evaluation. The process evaluation results indicated that the long-standing sustainability of the program is related to the consistency of program funding, engaging facilitation practices, and creative utilization of the multi-purpose space for program activities. However, significant barriers limit program sustainability. These include funding amounts and distribution, space and equipment limitations, and human resources challenges. This study illustrates the utility of qualitative process evaluation research in a Canadian Arctic community context and generates important place-based knowledge and insights to better support northern community-based food preparation programs. Cette etude traite de la mise en oe uvre des ateliers de cuisine finance par Nutrition Nord Canada (NNC) dans le village Inuvialuit (Inuit) de Paulatuk, Territoires du Nord-Ouest. Les objectifs de l'etude sont : 1) de co-concevoir un modele de logique culturellement pertinent; et 2) d'evaluer la mise en oe uvre du programme (processus) en ce qui concerne les principaux elements favorables et defavorables. Le modele de logique Mukluk, mis au point de facon collective, a joue un role instrumental dans la conceptualisation de l'evaluation du processus. Les resultats de l'evaluation du processus indiquent que la durabilite a long terme du programme est liee a l'uniformite du financement du programme, a des pratiques d'animation participative et a l'utilisation creative de l'espace a usages multiples pour les activites du programme. Cependant, il y a des obstacles importants a la durabilite du programme. Il est notamment question du montant du financement et de sa distribution, des limites en matiere d'espace et de materiel et de defis lies aux ressources humaines. L'etude illustre l'utilite de recherches d'evaluation a processus qualitatif dans un contexte de communaute de l'Arctique canadien et genere des connaissances et des conclusions importantes qui pourraient servir a mieux appuyer les programmes de preparation d'aliments fondes sur la communaute, dans le Nord.