Title
Standing Medical People: An investigation of chemical contaminants in traditional plants in the Manitoban prairies
Fiscal Year
2014-2015
Community/Region
Long Plain First Nation, Rolling River First Nation and Swan Lake First Nation, Manitoba
Principal Investigator
Daniel Gladu Kanu
Community Project Lead
David Daniels
Project Members
Tim Stevenson

Project Summary
Over the past 200 years, the encroachment of farming, industry, and urban development on traditional lands in the Manitoban prairies has limited community access to traditional plants and animals near the reserves. Members of the Long Plain First Nation, Rolling River First Nation, and Swan Lake First Nation raised concerns about the effects of the aerial and ground application of pesticides on their harvesting areas. The objective of this study was to investigate the human health impacts of exposure to environmental contaminants from the consumption of traditional foods and medicines.
The study team collected samples of several plants and medicines, such as saskatoons, chokecherries, raspberries, cranberries, hawthorn, sweet flag, purple cone flower, and Indian breadroot, as well as soil samples. They analyzed the samples for heavy metals, pesticides, and other persistent organic pollutants. They assessed community intake of traditional foods and medicinal plants using a food frequency questionnaire. A hazard quotient (HQ) was calculated to assess human health risk.
The results of this study showed the concentrations of these contaminants in medicinal plants were generally low and well below the HQ threshold of concern. However, Wiike root samples had higher levels of heavy metals than other plants and medicines. The study authors concluded community members should not be concerned about contaminants in their plants or medicines and should continue to harvest and eat them for their health and nutritional benefits. However, Wiike root medicines should be consumed in moderation.