Scientist says study misjudged effects on Native people

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An environmental study, sponsored by the provincial government, misjudges the effects of contaminated fish on northern Alberta Native people, according to a leading Alberta ecologist.

David Schindler said a recent report issued by Finish consulting group Jaako Poyry is weak in determining that fish in the Athabasca-Peace River river systems is harmful to the people who depend on it for survival - namely Natives.

Schindler was quick to point out Jaako Poyry seriously underestimated the potential effects of polluted water on the livelihood of Indians living in the Fort Chipewyan area and the N.W.T.

He said the study results may be misleading and the confusion may stem from a breakdown in translation.

Earlier, the provincial government issued a statement that said fish pulled from the Athabasca-Peace River systems were not harmful to Natives because they eat less fish than the Canadian average.

But Schindler, who sat on a panel which rejected the construction of the hotly-disputed Athabasca pulp mill, has been advocating more studies into the effects of cancer-causing dioxins spewed into the rivers by existing plants downstream.

He said the provincial government misunderstood the study which actually said Natives eat more than the Canadian average.

Jaakp Poyry was hired by the Alberta government for $400,000 to evaluate the report by the Alberta Environment Review Panel which recommended further studies before the mill is built.

Native leaders fear the Alberta government is trying to push through the $1.3 billion mill despite the review panel's concerns.