New tribal fish consumption app offers personalized suggestions for local waterways

The Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan and the Medical College of Wisconsin have released an updated version of the Gigiigoo’inaan App.

According to an Aug. 22 news release, the updated app provides personalized recommendations for safe fish consumption based on the user’s biological sex, weight, portion size and the waterway where the fish is coming from and guides users in their fish-eating choices throughout the Great Lakes and Bemidji Region waterways.

It was developed in collaboration with The Medical College of Wisconsin and the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan with input from the five Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority (CORA) tribes.

Environmental exposures in the waterways such as persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) chemicals or Mercury can disturb human health. The app includes details of the fish’s habitat, behaviors and in some circumstances gaming regulations to support sustainable harvesting.

The app also features simple and affordable fish recipes from the local regions. A significant and valued feature of the app is that it does not collect or store any personal data.

Features of the app support help users of all ages and life phases make informed choices regarding fish consumption by providing personalized recommendations for fish harvested from Lakes Huron, Michigan, Superior, Inland Lakes and even store-bought Fish.

“Fish are more than just a healthy food source for the Anishinaabe,” the release said. “Cherished fishing traditions are threatened by environmental risks. This work is significant because it addresses the need for effective fish consumption advice for the Anishinaabe whose tribal governments oversee treaty-related natural resource practices in Northern Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota.”

The app was previously tested in Michigan tribal communities in 2019 and reviewed again in 2023/2023. It was observed that app users reported improved confidence, increased fish consumption and increased understanding of environmental health in response to the Gigiigoo’inaan “Our Fish” App.

This app is the result of a multi-year project aimed at developing culturally tailored advice to encourage the consumption of low-contaminated species of fish among Native American Anishinaabe peoples and waterways. However, this app supports safe fish consumption for people of all races.

For more information on the Gigiigoo’inaan “Our Fish” app click here .