A Frog Lake group is looking for partners to help with a study that looks wild meat harvested in the Frog Lakes First Nations area.
The Climate Change Health Adaptation Program is looking for people, businesses and non-profit groups to join their advisory committee. The study focuses on the effects of chemical contaminants on wild meat in the traditional territories of Frog Lake First Nations.
CCHAP manager Kelly Dion says due to the migration of animals, the study will take place over a large area over the next two years. She says those involved will “continue learning about climate change, food, nutrition and environmental study within our Lakeland area.”
The CCHAP is a federal program designed to help with climate change adaptation by funding community designed and driven projects. The reason Dion is heading this study is that she wants to find the possible negative effects of poor cleanup by oil and gas companies from the past.
“We’ve had many companies that were here, over 25 years ago, that up and left but didn’t do any cleanup or mitigation practice. It affected the animals and thus our human health so it’s a health concern.”
While Dion is an advocate and supporter of climate change, she says she still values the oil and gas industry.
“We like our oil and gas but we also value our traditional Indigenous knowledge, heritage, practices and values. In order to ensure they keep going, we need to ensure the land that we obtain our medicinal plants and our animals are taken care of properly.”
Dion says there’s been a lot of interest and excitement surrounding the project. She says the study will also be recorded and made into a documentary series which is bringing more attention to it.
“We were able to build a positive working relationship not only amongst ourselves but within the municipalities and other First Nations so that they can contribute and learn about new climate change and environmental concerns.”
Dion has been reaching out to several businesses and organizations but says anyone interested in the project can call her at 780-943-3777.