Title

Seine River and Naicatchewenin First Nations Contamination Project 2011

Fiscal Year

2012-2013

Community/Region

Seine River First Nation and Naicatchewenin First Nation, Ontario

Principal Investigator

Dr. Peter Lee (Lakehead University)

Community Project Lead

Chief Earl Klyne (Seine River First Nation) and Chief Wayne Smith (Naicatchewenin First Nation)

Project Members

John Kabatay, Jeremiah Windigo and Chief William Windigo

Project Summary

Residents of Seine River First Nation (SFRN) and Naicatchewenin First Nation (NFN) depended on fish and gathered foods in the Seine River system in northwestern Ontario. These communities wanted to find the cause of the high levels of preventable disease among Elders and band members. Residents worried about the impacts of pollution from local mining operations and municipalities, and the atmospheric discharge from a power generating station. They were concerned with risks to water, plants, animals, and their own health. Residents were anxious due to planned changes in operations including disposing of tailings into lakes and power generating plants changing to wood pellets.

The purpose of this project was to determine the exposure to contaminants for band members eating traditional foods, to identify sources of pollution, and to work to reduce health risks. The goal of the project was to assess the possible bioaccumulation and biomagnification of mercury, heavy metals, PCBs, arsenic, sulphur, and other contaminants through the food chain.

The research team collected water, soil, plant, and sediment samples from various locations in the Seine River system to provide baseline data on contaminants in the area. Some sampling of fish in new areas was also conducted to expand on a previous study. In addition, the team collected and analyzed hair samples from band members.

The fish with the highest mercury levels were walleye, northern pike, muskie, and bass due to bioaccumulation and biomagnification. The team found no cause for concern consuming wild rice, wild berries and most game. Ducks had elevated levels of mercury. The study found mercury levels in hair were elevated in band members who had higher levels of fish consumption from the Seine River System.

The study team recommended community members consume lower risk fish (i.e., fish that are lower on the food chain) to reduce mercury exposure, and harvest from alternate watersheds. They also recommended First Nations eat more non-risk country foods, such as wild rice, and limit the amount of duck they consume.