After years of community requests, a federal study is set to investigate the health impacts of oilsands on residents of Fort Chipewyan, an Indigenous community in northern Alberta. Concerns have long existed in the community about potential links between cancers and industrial activities along the Athabasca River.
The study will analyze current and past health data, observe local disease patterns, and assess the impact of environmental changes on the community’s way of life and culture. Third-party researchers will conduct the study under the supervision of the Métis Nation, the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN), and the Mikisew Cree First Nation (MCFN), with the federal government in an observing role.
Dubbed Project Monument Hill, the 10-year, $12-million study was initiated in August 2024, with the first phase receiving funding in March. The research methodology aims to merge western scientific approaches and Indigenous knowledge of the land to understand 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 in Fort Chipewyan since 2006, expressed satisfaction with the study but raised concerns about the lengthy 10-year timeline, citing the pressing need for expedited action.
Past reports on cancer in Fort Chipewyan focused on medical records and health trends, omitting individuals who relocated for cancer treatment. Previous findings indicated elevated cancer rates in the community compared to the rest of Alberta, with evidence of industrial contaminants in local flora and fauna posing potential health risks.
Criticism of earlier reports led to the current comprehensive study that aims to address the impact of environmental changes on the Indigenous community’s health. Limited publicly available data underscores the urgency of understanding the connection between cancer rates in Fort Chipewyan and the alterations in the environment due to oilsands developments.