Title

Building Healthy Communities for Future Generations

Fiscal Year

2012-2013

Community/Region

Tsilhqot’in National Government, Xeni Gwet’in & ?Esdilagh First Nations, British Columbia

Principal Investigator

Dr. Michael Rutherford and Pamela Tobin

Community Project Lead

Trina Setah

Project Members

J.P. Laplante

Project Summary

Members of the Xeni Gwet’in & ?Esdilagh First Nations were concerned with increasing industrial development in their territory in the central interior of British Columbia. Community members wanted to maintain the health of their environment, and reduce any negative health impacts of industrial growth. The goals of this project were to establish baseline data on the health of soil and water, better record the use of traditional foods, and find out the concerns of community members about industrial development. The study also aimed to identify the types of industrial activity in the territory and how they might impact human health.

The research team collected and analysed soil and water samples to identify trace elements and organic contaminants (e.g., light and heavy hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)). The team interviewed community members about their concerns with the effects of industrial activity on human and environmental health, and about their use of traditional foods.

The research found some soil and water samples had elevated metal concentrations. However, the team recommended that the samples be retested due to uncertainty about why the levels were elevated. Based on the interviews, the team found consumption of traditional food varied greatly between First Nations. Interviews found industrial activity in the area included mining, logging, oil and gas, as well as poaching, Canadian hunters, and fisheries. The conclusions of the study will form the basis for larger work in the area.