Title

Tahltan Environmental Contaminants Project

Fiscal Year

2005-2006

Community/Region

Tahltan & Iskut First Nations, British Columbia

Principal Investigator

Nanette Jackson (Tahltan Band)

Community Project Lead

N/A

Project Members

N/A

Project Summary

Traditional foods are an important component in the lives of the Tahltan and Iskut First Nations. However, concerns were expressed by community members regarding the safety of traditional food due to the impacts of mining activity and mining mishaps both the past and present.

The objective of this study was to determine to what extent traditional foods were affected by environmental contaminants. A dietary survey was conducted to learn about the types of traditional foods that were consumed by members of the participating communities. Samples of salmon, caribou meat, blueberries, caribou leaves, and a variety of organ meats were then collected and analysed for mercury and other heavy metals.

According to the results, the levels of contaminants in the various samples tested did not pose a health concern. However, because an insufficient number of samples were taken, it was felt that continued monitoring was necessary. The study investigators highlighted the importance of addressing the potential adverse health impacts of industrial contaminants.