The Na-Cho Nyäk Dun (NND) First Nation is concerned about the levels of contaminants in their traditional foods. This project will measure the contaminant levels in moose and fish from the NND Traditional Territory to assess changes in contaminant concentrations from moose that were tested a decade ago and from locally harvested fish. The work will be conducted over three years. Moose samples will be collected in 2018; harvesting of fish and analyzing of samples will occur 2019-2020. The proposed work will build capacity within the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun (NND) through harvesting, preparation and shipment of moose and fish tissue and organ samples for analysis of known and emerging contaminants. NND Lands Officers and Fish and Wildlife Officers will be trained in the preparation of samples by a qualified research scientist and will be taught traditional and cultural practices by local elders. This project will help the First Nation community and northerners because test results will provide current data for comparison against historical data.
The results will inform the community on northern contaminants thus enabling the First Nation to make informed decisions related to harvest and consumption of traditional foods.