After numerous requests from residents spanning more than twenty years, a federally funded research project is set to investigate the health effects of the oilsands on the people of Fort Chipewyan, an Indigenous community in northern Alberta. Many community members have long suspected a connection between cancer cases in Fort Chipewyan and the industrial activities upstream along the Athabasca River.
The study, known as Project Monument Hill, will delve into both current and historical health data, analyze local disease trends, and assess the impact of environmental changes on the community’s culture and daily life. The investigation, which will span a decade and receive $12 million in funding, is a collaborative effort involving third-party researchers, the Métis Nation, the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN), and the Mikisew Cree First Nation (MCFN), with the federal government serving in an oversight capacity.
Ruby Ladouceur, president of the Fort Chipewyan Métis Nation, emphasized the importance of understanding the relationship between environmental conditions, traditional land use, and the well-being of the community. Dr. John O’Connor, a vocal advocate for investigating cancer rates in Fort Chipewyan since 2006, expressed satisfaction that the study is finally underway but raised concerns about the lengthy 10-year timeline.
Previous reports on cancer rates in Fort Chipewyan have primarily focused on medical records and health trends, with some studies indicating elevated cancer rates compared to the rest of Alberta. However, critics argue that prior reports fell short of conducting a comprehensive, long-term health study specific to the community.
The new study aims to address the impact of environmental changes on Indigenous health in Fort Chipewyan, moving away from attributing health issues solely to lifestyle factors. Limited publicly available data has hindered efforts to establish a clear link between cancer cases in Fort Chipewyan and the alterations in the environment caused by oilsands development, according to community representatives.
