About the Project Community Participation Conclusions Iiyiyiuch know that the land, water, and animals are Waskaganish was visited in June 2008 and 176 people, People do have some traces of contaminants in closely tied to their well-being. Nituuchischaayihtitaau including babies, children, adults and elders, participated their bodies, but this is not a major health concern in Aschii is a project to study the links between people’s in the study. Waskaganish right now. health, the kinds of food they eat, and the contaminants However, development projects like the Ruper River in the environment. hydro project will continue to impact the environment. Many of the traditional Iiyiyiu foods are healthy but, Therefore, it is important to keep checking the levels these days, some fish and animals may be contaminated of contaminants in the environment and in people’s Popular Report for the with harmful chemicals. Also, some diseases can be passed bodies to make sure that they do not reach levels that from animals to the humans. could impact our health. Cree Nation of We need to know whether the benefits of eating Being overweight, eating unhealthy food, and traditional food outweigh the risks. To find out, the lacking physical activity are bigger health problems project asked five questions: than contamination. Waskaganish Participants gave samples of their hair, nails and blood 1. Nutrition: What kinds of food are of foods are to be tested for contaminants. They also did clinical tests Traditional food remains a healthy choice compared people eating in Iiyiyiu Aschii? What nutrients are to check their weight and blood pressure, and answered to market food with high fat and sugar content. The people getting from traditional foods? questionnaires about their health, nutrition and activities. benefits of eating traditional food outweigh the risks! 2. Physical Activity: Are people leading active lives? Educational Activities 3. Contaminants: What contaminants are found in The priorities for health promotion in people’s bodies? Waskaganish are: 4. Zoonoses: How many people have caught infections 99 Do not smoke from animals? 99 Be active by walking, doing physical work, 5. General Health: Do people have health problems and playing sports. that might be linked to their food choices and to 99 Eat foods high in vitamins like fruits and contaminants? vegetables 99 Cut back on store-bought foods with high The project is funded by Niskamoon under the 2001 fat and sugar Mercury Agreement between the Crees and Hydro- Québec. It will visit all 9 Iiyiyiu communities. 99 Keep eating traditional foods as they are Recycled paper workhosp with grade 4 students. healthy 2009 The project’s educational component aims to make science exciting through fun, hands on activities. The goal For more information, contact: is to encourage young people in Iiyiyiu Aschii to pursue Laura Atikessé 2008 science and health careers Public Health Department 2007 Workshops about science, recycling and nutrition were Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay held at Annie Whiskeychan elementary school, Wiinibekuu Tel: 514-861-2352 2007 high school and the local daycares. E-mail: [email protected] 2007 (2002) Twenty kids also took part in a week-long Science 2005 Summer Camp, organized in collaboration with the (2002) Gathering Place and Recreation Department. 2009 Over 300 kids took part in the educational activities! Nituuchischaayihtitaau Aschii Nituuchischaayihtitaau 1. Nutrition 2. Physical Activity In Waskaganish, the study found two women and one 5. General Health child had slightly high levels of lead in their blood. They Traditional foods such as game, fish, fowl In Waskaganish, the study found encouraging links were seen by a doctor or nurse to try and determine the Some health problems are linked to people’s eating and berries are healthy. They are low in fat between physical activity (especially walking) and better source of the contaminant. Some possible sources of lead habits and contaminants. These include thyroid and high in some vitamins and minerals weight. Other studies have established that doing regular are lead shot and kinds of old paint. problems, heart disease and diabetes. that help protect against illness. Moose, physical activity lowers the risk of heart disease, diabetes, Risk Factors for Heart Disease goose, rabbit, beaver and ptarmigan are the and other health problems. Another contaminant that is cause for concern is most common traditional foods eaten in Cadmium, a chemical that affects kidney health. The Weight Waskaganish. On average, people eat each people with high Cadmium levels were mostly smokers • 72% of participants were of these foods at least once a month. under 40 years of age. This suggests that cigarettes, and overweight. not traditional food, are the main source of Cadmium in • 42% can be considered obese. Waskaganish. • People in Waskaganish are less overweight than Finally, the study found that people in Waskaganish people in Mistissini, Eastmain and Wemindji. had very low levels of PCBs and pesticides. However, 2 people over the age of 40 received a follow up for these Blood pressure contaminants. • 16% had high blood pressure. Cholesterol and fats • 29% of the participants had low levels of “good” High-Density cholesterol. People who walk a lot tend to be less overweight • 20% had high triglycerides, another unhealthy fat. 3. Contaminants Carotid artery thickness • This was measured with a neck ultrasound As in other Iiyiyiu communities, people Contaminants are chemicals like mercury and pesticides over 40 years of age eat traditional foods that can be harmful to our health. • Overall, men and women had healthy arteries. more often than people aged 18-39, and Some contaminants are released into the environment • Women tended to have more buildup inside their children eat the least amount of traditional by industries in the South and carried north by the wind arteries than men. This is different from the Southern food. and rain. Mercury is present naturally in the soil, but population, and further analysis is required. People in Waskaganish get enough developments such as hydroelectric dams and forestry Diabetes protein and carbohydrates in their diets. cause mercury to move from the soil into lakes and • 9% of participants had fasting blood sugar levels However, most people tend to eat too much rivers, where it is absorbed by plants and tiny animals. that indicate undiagnosed or improperly managed fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol Contaminants travel up the food chain and accumulate in Traditional foods such as game, fish, and berries are healthy. diabetes. Another 13% are considered at risk for the fish and animals that we eat. People eat more than the number of 4. Zoonoses diabetes. Our bodies can tolerate a small amount of contaminants, servings of meat recommended by the • The rate of diabetes is Waskaganish is more than but too much is toxic to our health. Babies, children and Zoonoses are bacteria, germs and viruses that people can Canadian food guide. Therefore they get double what it is in the rest of Canada. However, pregnant women are especially vulnerable. The project catch from animals. Hunters and trappers who come into plenty of zinc and iron. However, people eat it is slightly lower than in Mistissini, Eastmain and tested for Mercury, Lead, Cadmium, Selenium, PCBs and contact with wild animals may be at risk. When we come fewer fruits, vegetables, and milk products Wemindji. other Organic Contaminants, such as pesticides and fire into contact with zoonoses, our bodies make antibodies to than recommended. This leads to low levels retardants fight infection. These antibodies stay in our blood for years • To reduce chances of getting diabetes and heart of calcium, magnesium and some vitamins and can be detected with a blood test. disease, people need to eat less foods high Fortunately, most people in Waskaganish have only Men, Women, and Children get about 10% in cholesterol, fat, and sugar, and to be more small amounts of these chemicals in their blood. Older The study found some traces of past infection by of their daily calories from drinking pop and active. people who have eaten a lot of fish and game in their zoonoses, but nobody was currently infected. Often these other sweet drinks (not including fruit juice). lifetime tend to have higher levels of Mercury, Lead and infections have very few symptoms.. Fragile Bones The extra calories and sugar contribute to other contaminants, but not enough to be dangerous to Osteoporosis, or fragile bones, mostly affects older being overweight and can lead to diseases A local group like the CTA could tell hunters and trappers their health. In fact, the mercury levels detected in Iiyiyiu women. The study used ultrasound to measure the bone like diabetes. what symptoms to look out for. Health care workers should Aschii are lower than they were in the 1970s. also be informed about the symptoms of these illnesses strength of women over the age of 35 in Waskaganish. Compared to women in Quebec City, women in Hightlights of Findings Waskaganish have a low risk of breaking a bone..