About the Project and in people’s bodies to make sure that they do not Eeyouch know that the land, water, and animals are reach levels that could impact our health. closely tied to their well-being. Nituuchischaayihtitaau Aschii is a project to study the links between Being overweight, eating unhealthy food and lacking people’s health, the kinds of food they eat, and the physical activity are bigger health problems than contaminants in the environment. contamination. Traditional food remains a healthy choice compared to store-bought foods with high fat Popular Report for the and sugar content. The benefits of eating traditional Nation of Many of the traditional Eeyou foods are healthy but, these days, some fish and animals may be food outweigh the risks! hapmagoostui contaminated with harmful chemicals. Also, some Educational Activities W diseases can be passed from animals to the humans. The project’s educational component aimed to make The priorities for health promotion in Whapmagoostui science exciting through fun, hands-on activities. The are: We need to know whether the benefits of eating goal was to encourage young people in Eeyou Istchee • Do not smoke traditional food outweigh the risks. To find out, the to pursue science and health careers. • Be active by walking, doing physical work, and project asked five questions: playing sports 1. Nutrition: What kinds of food are people eating in Workshops about science, recycling and nutrition were • Eat foods high in vitamins like fruits and Eeyou Istchee? What nutrients are people getting held at Badabin Eeyou School and the local child care vegetables from traditional foods? centre. Forty kids also took part in a Science Summer • Cut back on store-bought foods with high fat and 2. Physical Activity: Are people leading active lives? Camp. sugar 3. Contaminants: What contaminants are found in • Keep eating traditional foods as they are healthy people’s bodies? 4. Zoonoses: How many people have caught For more information, contact: infections from animals? Laura Atikessé 5. General Health: Do people have health problems Public Health Department that might be linked to their food choices and to Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay contaminants? Tel: 418-923-2500 ext. 274 E-mail: [email protected] The project is funded by Niskamoon under the 2001 Multi-Community Mercury Agreement between the and Hydro- Environment and Health Québec. It involves all 9 Eeyou communities. Over 180 kids took part in the educational activities! Project in Eeyou Istchee Community Participation Conclusions Whapmagoostui was visited in August 2009 and 161 People do have some traces of contaminants in their people participated in the study (including babies, bodies, but this is not a major health concern in children, adults and elders). Whapmagoostui right now.

Participants gave samples of their hair, nails, urine However, development projects like the Rupert River and blood to be tested for contaminants. They also had their weight and blood pressure measured, and hydro project and mining plans will continue to impact answered questionnaires about their health, eating the environment. Therefore, it is important to keep NITUUCHISCHAAYIHTITAAU ASCHII NITUUCHISCHAAYIHTITAAU habits and activities. checking the levels of contaminants in the environment doing regular physical activity lowers the risk of heart 4. Zoonoses Cholesterol and fats disease, diabetes, and other health problems. Zoonoses are bacteria, germs and viruses that people • 42% of the participants had low levels of “good” can catch from animals. Hunters and trappers who (HDL) cholesterol. come into contact with wild animals may be at risk. • 26% had high triglycerides, another unhealthy fat. 1. Nutrition When we come into contact with zoonoses, our bodies Carotid artery thickness Traditional foods such as game, fish, fowl and make antibodies to fight infection. These antibodies • This analysis was performed using a machine berries are healthy. They are low in fat and stay in our blood for years and can be detected with a that is able to capture images via sound waves. high in some vitamins and minerals that help blood test. It is called ultrasound and is based on similar protect against illness. Caribou, goose, and The study found some traces of past infection by technology to radar. ptarmigan are the most common traditional zoonoses, but nobody was currently infected. Often • In general, both men and women had healthy foods eaten in Whapmagoostui. Over 60% of the these infections have very few symptoms. arteries which were comparable to other aboriginal people interviewed had eaten these foods in the 3. Contaminants population we have studied in Canada. last year, and this did not depend on age. Fowl Contaminants are chemicals like mercury, lead and A local group like the CTA could tell hunters and • As reported in many other studies, men tended to and game were eaten more often than fish. pesticides that can be harmful to our health. trappers what symptoms to look out for. Health care have thicker arteries compared with women. workers should also be informed about the symptoms • Individuals who presented with signs of diabetes People in Some contaminants are released into the environment of these illnesses had unhealthy arteries. This confirms what has Whapmagoostui get by industries in the south and carried north by the been reported in other health studies. enough protein and wind and rain. Mercury is present naturally in the 5. General Health Diabetes carbohydrates in their soil, but developments such as hydroelectric dams (adults 18 years and older) • One out of 4 adults in the study had diabetes diets. However, most and forestry cause mercury to move from the soil into Some health problems are linked to people’s eating diagnosed previously by a doctor. Of the others people tend to eat too lakes and rivers, where it is absorbed by plants and tiny habits and contaminants. These include thyroid without diagnosed diabetes, 3% had blood sugar much fat, saturated fat, animals. Contaminants travel up the food chain and problems, heart disease and diabetes. levels suggestive of diabetes (but not yet diagnosed and cholesterol. Most accumulate in the fish and animals that we eat. Risk Factors for Heart Disease by the clinic) and 9 % were considered to be at people eat enough Weight risk. meat to get plenty of zinc and iron. People in Our bodies can tolerate a small amount of • 92.1% of participants were overweight. • To reduce chances of getting diabetes and heart all age groups eat fewer fruits, vegetables, and contaminants, but too much can affect our health. • 83.1% can be considered obese. disease, people need to eat less food high in milk products than recommended. This leads to Babies, children and pregnant women are especially • People in Whapmagoostui are more overweight saturated fats, trans fats and sugar, and to be more low levels of important nutrients like calcium, vulnerable. The project tested for Mercury, Lead, than individuals in Mistissini, , active. magnesium and some vitamins Cadmium, Arsenic, Selenium, PCBs and other Organic , Waswanipi, and , with Fragile Bones Contaminants, such as pesticides and fire retardants. the lowest. Osteoporosis, or fragile bones, mostly affects older Children get about 13% of their daily calories Mercury levels in blood or hair are lower than they Blood pressure women. The study used ultrasound to measure from drinking pop and other sweet drinks (not were in the 1970s, but they remain a concern. In

HIGHLIGHTS OF FINDINGS • 12.5% had high blood pressure. the bone strength of women over the age of 35 in including fruit juice). The extra calories and sugar Whapmagoostui, one individual required follow-up Whapmagoostui. Compared to women in City, contribute to being overweight and can lead to (but not serious) with a doctor for mercury and 18 women in Whapmagoostui have a low risk of breaking diseases like diabetes. for lead (not serious). Lead shot is likely the source of a bone. lead. Smoking is the main source of cadmium and also 2. Physical Activity remains a concern (as do PCBs blood levels, which Of the others without diagnosed diabetes, almost a In Mistissini, the study found encouraging links were mid-range compared to the other communities). quarter had blood sugar levels suggestive of diabetes between physical activity (especially walking) and Although body levels of arsenic were normal, levels in which had not been diagnosed yet by the clinic. better weight. Other studies have established that hair of some individuals suggested an external source.

Design & Layout by April Pachanos 2011