Oilsands development linked to cancer, First Nations say – Edmonton Journal

EDMONTON – First Nations leaders and scientists from the University of Manitoba will release a report Monday they say shows links between the oilsands and impacts on wildlife, the environment and human health in aboriginal communities.

Eriel Deranger, the communications co-ordinator for the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, said the study concludes that high levels of cancer in the region are associated with eating traditional foods and locally caught fish.

“The study maps out pretty clearly a correlation between the consumption of traditional foods and increases in the likelihood of cancer,” Deranger said. “It’s a new study, and provides enough information to show there is an urgent need for a more thorough health analysis in the region.

“Our hope is that it will spur action from the provincial and federal governments that we have been asking for years.”

Read more: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Oilsands+development+linked+cancer+First+Nations/10005985/story.html