After continuous requests from local residents for more than twenty years, a federally funded research initiative is set to investigate the health implications of oilsands operations on the people of Fort Chipewyan, an Indigenous community in northern Alberta. The community, situated over 200 kilometers north of Fort McMurray, has long suspected a connection between cancer cases in Fort Chipewyan and the industrial activities upstream along the Athabasca River.
One of the major concerns is the proximity of Imperial Oil’s Kearl mine, where a substantial 5.3-million-liter wastewater spill occurred in 2023, located approximately 140 kilometers from Fort Chipewyan. Another nearby project is Suncor Energy’s Fort Hills mine, situated more than 90 kilometers away.
The study will involve analyzing current and past health data, investigating local disease patterns, and monitoring both the residents and the environment. It aims to assess how environmental changes have influenced the community’s culture and daily life.
Ruby Ladouceur, the president of the Fort Chipewyan Métis Nation, emphasized the need for clarity, stating, “We’re not pointing fingers, we just want answers to what’s going on.” She highlighted the lack of concrete evidence attributing health issues solely to industrial activities.
Named Project Monument Hill after a local vantage point overlooking Fort Chipewyan and Lake Athabasca, the comprehensive 10-year, $12-million study was launched by the federal government in August 2024. The initial funding was allocated in March to kickstart the planning and governance phase of the study.
The study methodology will blend western scientific approaches with Indigenous knowledge of the land to gain a holistic understanding of the interplay between environmental conditions, traditional land use, and the well-being of the community. Ladouceur stressed the correlation between environmental health and human well-being as a central focus.
Previous reports on cancer incidents in Fort Chipewyan have mainly relied on medical records and health trends of current residents, excluding individuals who have relocated, including those seeking cancer treatments. Notably, a 2009 study by the Alberta Cancer Board revealed a 30% higher incidence of certain cancers in Fort Chipewyan compared to the rest of Alberta at the time.
Dr. John O’Connor, a vocal advocate for investigating cancer in Fort Chipewyan, welcomed the study but expressed concerns about its lengthy 10-year duration, citing the pressing need for swift action due to the high number of cancer cases he has observed.
The study, overseen by the Métis Nation, the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN), and the Mikisew Cree First Nation (MCFN), with the federal government in an observer role, aims to address gaps in previous reports and provide a more thorough examination of the community’s health challenges.
