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“A new study by two Alberta First Nations and University of Manitoba scientists says there is a link between oilsands pollutants and higher levels of heavy metals in wildlife, and higher cancer rates in residents.
“There’s something unique that is happening in Fort Chipewyan,” Stephane McLachlan, the lead researcher from the university, told a news conference Monday.
“It’s a situation that is alarming and demands attention.”
The report — titled Environmental and Human Health Implications of Athabasca Oil Sands — is the result of three years of research.
It was funded by the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and the Mikisew Cree First Nation.
The study says of 94 participants it found 23 cases of cancer.
“Cancer occurrence increased significantly with participant employment in the oilsands and with the increased consumption of traditional foods and locally caught fish,” said the report.”
– CTV News, First Nations report links oilsands pollutants to heavy metals found in nearby wildlife.
“A study conducted by First Nations groups and scientists from the University of Manitoba released Monday suggests the Alberta oilsands are in part to blame for some health concerns in the downstream community of Fort Chipewyan and higher levels of heavy metals in wildlife.
The study is based on the work of residents of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and the Mikisew Cree First Nations and scientists from the University of Manitoba, who measured the extent of heavy metals and other contaminants in country food harvested by indigenous people in the region.
Funding for the study was provided by the Athabasca Chipewyan and Mikisew Cree First Nations, as well as the National First Nations Environmental Contaminants program.
The study said it relied on both “Western science” and traditional knowledge gathered from interviews with elders and harvesters in the community.”
– CBC News, Study suggests link between oilsands and Fort Chip illnesses.
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Indian Country 52
Indian Country 52 is a weekly project by David Bernie that uses the medium of posters that promote issues and stories in Indian Country.
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This work by David Bernie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. You may download, share, and post the images under the condition that the works are attributed to the artist.
