Project would focus on contaminants such as mercury and cadmium in country foods.
The Vuntut Gwich’in First Nation Government is launching community consultations to determine the potential of a biomonitoring study. The study, if approved would focus on human health and possible contaminants in country foods, such as fish and moose.
In 2014, the First Nation began examining mercury levels on certain species of fish, with results prompting consumption warnings for Old Crow residents. “We looked a mercury in six species of fish, three species of salmon and other freshwater fish. We found that in Ling Cod, Pike and Inconnu a bit of mercury that were in the fish. They [residents] were advised that young women and young people cannot eat more than one serving of that fish in a week.” Stated Natural Resources Department Director William Josie.
A background document on the proposed study suggests that the First Nation does not know the contaminant risks from country foods in Old Crow, or the level of exposure to young people.
Josie says the goal is about monitoring the environment and people’s health. “We're gathering baseline data on the environment we live in, and we're gathering baseline data on the species we live with. And to keep monitoring into the future on what's happening in our territory and our people.”
There was concern that northern moose kidneys contained high levels of cadmium, but Josie says this is not the case with moose near Old Crow. “It also said in that report that there were high cadmium levels in moose in this area. I'm aware of it in other areas, but up here, I don't believe there's high cadmium in moose.”
The consultation process would determine whether residents want to participate voluntarily. Consultation is expected to last one year, before research would begin.
(Dan Jones Whitehorse September 19, 2017)
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