Title

Norway House Cree Nation: Mercury and hydrocarbons in source water and traditional foods

Fiscal Year

2014-2015

Community/Region

Norway House Cree Nation, Manitoba

Principal Investigator

Dr. Annemieke Farenhorst (University of Manitoba)

Community Project Lead

Jaymie Leary (Director for Environment, Lands and Natural Resources)

Project Members

James Dixon, Johanna Theroux and Wendy Ross

Project Summary

Norway House Cree Nation was one of the five communities in Manitoba adversely affected in the 1970s by hydroelectric developments on the Nelson and Churchill Rivers. The community was concerned chemical contaminants (e.g., hydrocarbons and mercury) may leach into the waterways from the soil and enter the food chain, causing health consequences for those who rely on traditional foods.

The objectives of this study were to sample soil, sediment, water, and fish species for mercury and hydrocarbon and to evaluate whether levels were within guideline limits for the protection of aquatic life and human health. The project team used a dietary survey to collect data on the consumption of traditional foods. In addition, they collected hair samples to assess the mercury body burden among community members of the Norway House Cree Nation.

According to the dietary survey, fish and moose were the most frequently consumed traditional foods. The study found mercury levels in the water, sediment, and soil samples were well below guideline limits. The levels of hydrocarbons in the sediments and soils were also low. Among all fish samples analyzed for mercury, only one sample tested above the Canadian guideline limit of 0.5 ppm. The results of hair sampling showed none of the participants had mercury levels above Health Canada’s biomonitoring guidelines. The study concluded there was no immediate risk to the environment or the health of  community members from exposure to mercury and hydrocarbons in source water or traditional foods.