In depth: Fort Chipewyan's health concerns

 (Photo: Mark Elliott)

For almost a decade, the people of Fort Chipewyan have been demanding a health study to look into why it seems so many family members and friends are dying from cancer. Now a study has confirmed those fears. The Alberta government says cancer rates in the community are 30 percent higher than they should be, though the study raises more questions than answers.

Elders in this remote community, 300km north of Fort McMurray, Alta., say they started seeing people become sick after major oilsands developments began downstream from their home. In this remote fly-in community, the wilderness is their food source. But now, they are wondering if they can trust their water, their food or even the air they breathe. They want to know if something in their environment is making them sick. More »