Impacts of Environmental Contamination on Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Anishinabek and Wabauskang First Nation

The people of Grassy Narrows and Wabauskang have been concerned about the presence of contaminants in their territories since the late 1960s. This concern began when people became ill from eating fish contaminated with mercury that was discharged into the Wabigoon River by a chlor-alkali and pulp and paper plant in Dryden, Ontario. Fish consumption advisories continue to be issued for top predatory fish.

In this study, sediment and crayfish samples were collected and analysed for mercury. In addition, samples of wild meat (fish, mammals, and birds) were tested for PCBs, dioxins, furans, organochlorine pesticides, mercury, cadmium, lead and arsenic.

Lake sediments within Grassy Narrows territory that were directly influenced by the Wabigoon River showed elevated levels of mercury. In addition, mercury levels in crayfish continued to remain above Health Canada’s guideline for the sale of commercial fish. However, the study found that levels of dioxins, furans, organochlorine pesticides and PCBs in beaver, moose, deer and muskrat in the region were well within the safe consumption limits.

Continued monitoring of organochlorines was recommended with a focus on specific dioxins and furans (2,3,7,8, TCDD and TCDF) in predatory fish, such as walleye, and PCBs and organochlorine pesticides in waterfowl. Ongoing monitoring of mercury levels in carnivorous mammals and predatory fish was also felt to be necessary as mercury remains a persistent concern for the people of Grassy Narrows and Wabauskang.