An aboriginal community near the Alberta oil sands is finally getting a long-sought health study that will probe the health effects of living near oil development.
Fort McKay First Nation leaders, Alberta Health and Wellness, and Alberta Aboriginal Relations have entered into an agreement that will assess the health of the Fort McKay First Nation and the Fort McKay Metis Community over the next few years.
“Community leaders in Fort McKay have shown tremendous leadership and cooperation in advancing this process that will be carried out with, by, and for the community,” said Minister of Health and Wellness Gene Zwozdesky.
The assessment will be one of the first health studies in Canadian history to be led by First Nation and Metis residents themselves, and supported by Alberta Health.
“We are incredibly encouraged by this show of commitment from the Government of Alberta,” said Raymond Powder, deputy chief of the Fort McKay First Nation.
Powder said the leaders of both communities have long expressed “that there is a great need to conduct a health assessment study of our community.”
“We need to better understand the state of our people’s health, and how the environment around us is impacting our health, not just physically, but also emotionally and spiritually. There is still much work to be done, but this is certainly a big step in the right direction.”
The alarm was raised five years ago about potential health effects from the oil sands when community doctor John O’Connor reported high rates of cancer in Northern Alberta’s Fort Chipewyan community.
Health Canada investigated O’Connor himself, but no action was taken to look into his concerns.
Then in February 2009, Alberta Health Services conducted a study that revealed higher rates of three different types of cancers in the Fort Chipewyan community, and recommended further investigation.
The Fort McKay First Nation and Fort McKay Metis Nation are located downriver from booming Fort McMurray, and are surrounded by at least a dozen oil sands projects.
The latest study will not only look at potential health effects of the oil sands, but offer a broader assessment of community health issues and social health concerns.
“The community health assessment will also aim to facilitate the design, implementation and delivery of programs, services, and other activities to improve the health and wellness of Fort McKay community members,” said a recent press release.
“This community-driven initiative will help determine the health priorities of Fort McKay residents,” said Dr. Andre Corriveau, Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health.
“The collaborative process will result in development of a plan to ensure the right mix of services and programs to improve the overall health of the community.”
