After numerous requests from local residents spanning over two decades, a federally funded investigation is set to commence to assess the health consequences of oilsands on the inhabitants 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 cancers in Fort Chipewyan and the industrial projects located upstream along the Athabasca River.
One prominent site is Imperial Oil’s Kearl mine, which experienced a significant 5.3-million-liter wastewater spill 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, known as Project Monument Hill, will span a decade and cost $12 million. It was announced by the federal government in August 2024, with initial funding received in March for the planning and governance phase. Oversight for the study will be provided 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.
Ruby Ladouceur, the president of the Fort Chipewyan Métis Nation, emphasized the study’s objective to blend Western scientific methods with Indigenous land knowledge to comprehend the interplay between environmental conditions, traditional land use, and community health.
Dr. John O’Connor, a vocal advocate for investigating cancer in Fort Chipewyan since 2006, expressed satisfaction that the study is finally underway. However, he raised concerns about the lengthy 10-year timeline, citing the urgency of addressing the health issues promptly.
Previous reports on cancer in Fort Chipewyan primarily focused on medical records and health trends of current residents without considering individuals who had left the community, including those seeking cancer treatments. Notably, a 2009 study by the Alberta Cancer Board revealed that cancer rates in Fort Chipewyan were 30% higher than the provincial average at the time.
Research from the University of Manitoba in 2014 discovered elevated levels of heavy metals and industrial contaminants in plants and animals commonly harvested by Fort Chipewyan residents, posing potential health risks. Despite these findings, a report from Dr. James Talbot, Alberta’s then-chief medical officer of health, concluded in 2014 that overall cancer rates in Fort Chipewyan were not significantly higher than expected, attributing the figures to lifestyle factors and limited medical resources.
Ladouceur stressed that the new study aims to explore the impact of environmental changes on the health of Indigenous people and their community, shifting the focus from individual lifestyle factors. Callie Davies-Flett, a special projects adviser with the ACFN, highlighted the scarcity of publicly available data linking cancer rates in Fort Chipewyan to environmental alterations driven by oilsands developments. She emphasized the community’s collective concern regarding the pervasive health issue affecting all residents.