A federally funded study is set to investigate the health impacts of oilsands on residents in Fort Chipewyan, an Indigenous community in northern Alberta, following persistent requests from community members spanning over two decades. Many residents have long suspected a connection between cancers in Fort Chipewyan and the industrial developments upstream along the Athabasca River.
The study will analyze current and historical health data, assess local disease patterns, and monitor both people and the environment. Additionally, researchers will evaluate how environmental changes affect the community’s culture and way of life.
Dubbed Project Monument Hill, the 10-year, $12-million study was initiated in August 2024 with the first batch of funding received in March for the planning and governance phase. The study will combine western scientific methods with Indigenous knowledge of the land to gain insights into the relationship between environmental conditions, traditional land use, and the well-being of the community.
Dr. John O’Connor, who has been advocating for investigations into cancer in Fort Chipewyan since 2006, expressed satisfaction that the study is finally underway. However, he voiced concerns about the study’s lengthy 10-year duration, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
Past reports on cancer in Fort Chipewyan have primarily focused on medical records and health trends, with some overlooking individuals who have moved away, including those seeking cancer treatments. Previous studies have shown elevated cancer rates in the community compared to the rest of Alberta, with evidence of heavy metals and industrial contaminants found in local plants and animals.
Despite earlier reports suggesting no direct link between cancers and industrial exposure, community leaders have criticized the lack of in-depth, long-term health studies focusing on Fort Chipewyan. The new study aims to explore the impact of environmental changes on the health of Indigenous people, prioritizing these factors over lifestyle variables.
Limited publicly available data on the correlation between cancer rates in Fort Chipewyan and the environmental alterations resulting from oilsands developments underscores the significance of this comprehensive study to address the community’s concerns.