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DENINU K'UE/FORT RESOLUTION
High cancer rates in Fort Smith and Fort Resolution could be tied to pollutants from upstream, Health and Social Services Minister Tom Beaulieu said at a community meeting in Fort Res on June 11.

Wilfred Simon, a wellness worker in Fort Resolution, addresses a June 11 public meeting where residents pleaded for help dealing with social problems that affect the community. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

"We think cancer rates are high in Fort Smith and Fort Resolution because of what's happening upstream from Fort Smith," he said in response to concerns raised by Deninu K'ue First Nation Chief Louis Balsillie.

Balsillie said he believes the biggest problem facing Fort Resolution is a high rate of cancer.

These comments conflict with last year's findings by the NWT's chief public health officer Andre Corriveau, who concluded that although cancer rates are abnormally high in Fort Resolution, the primary cause is poor lifestyle choices.

"That's insulting for me," said Balsillie, arguing there may be other causes, such as environmental factors including an abandoned fuel line underneath the community and pollution in the Slave River from the Alberta oil sands development.

Beaulieu responded it was not Corriveau's intention to insult anyone, and said the government will continue to examine the high rate of cancer.

"We have an intention to look further into that," he said.

Beaulieu later clarified with News/North that he agrees unhealthy life choices, such as smoking and excessive drinking, contribute to the problem. However, he maintained that upstream resource development could be another cause.

"Our smoking rates and drinking rates are no higher than any other aboriginal community in the Northwest Territories, but our cancer rates are higher," he said.

Balsillie argued there should be more doctor visits to the community to catch cancers in the early stages.

"It's just frustrating when you're sitting here and watching your people die," he said.

Beaulieu said there is not enough early diagnosis.

"I agree a lot of cancers are being caught in the late stages," he said, adding the GNWT is planning a public information campaign to get prominent people to talk about the need for cancer screening.

Kara King, president of the Fort Resolution Metis Council, called for a water quality study.

Fort Resolution bared its soul in a plea for help to deal with a multitude of problems facing the community during the June 11 meeting.

Other top concerns included alcoholism and bootlegging, drug use, suicide, insufficient care for elders, and other issues.

It was a lot of problems to be covered in just one meeting, but residents took advantage of the opportunity and the talk stretched on for almost six hours.

At times, it became impassioned. Toni Lafferty called on community members to take action to get rid of bootleggers.

"Let's get them off the goddamn streets," she said.

Lafferty said the bootleggers will take everything from people, even money for groceries.

"I'm going to stand up. I've had it," she said. "This is my community and I'm going to take it back."

The 50 or so residents at the meeting - called by the DKFN - were speaking to each other and to a high-profile group of visitors, including Beaulieu, who is also the MLA for Tu Nedhe, Justice Minister Glen Abernethy, and Chief Supt. Wade Blake, the commanding officer of the RCMP's G Division.

Abernethy said people from the community will have to come forward and testify against bootleggers, explaining the police know who they are but cannot prosecute them without witnesses.

That is difficult in a small community where many people are related and everyone knows everyone else, he said, "I know that sucks. I know that is hard."

Blake said he will be the first to admit the police are not perfect, but added the three-person detachment in Fort Resolution is doing the best it can.

The police cannot solve problems on their own, he said.

"It's got to be a community effort."

Blake said 51 per cent of calls to police in Fort Resolution are related to alcohol.

Some residents asked that the RCMP's dog unit, stationed in Hay River, be used more often in Fort Resolution to combat the drug trade.

A number of people expressed concern about health care for elders, especially when older people are moved out of Fort Resolution to larger towns for long-term care.

They called for the Great Elders Facility to be returned to its original use to care for older people. It is now being used as an office building.

Fort Resolution councillor Brandie Miersch tied together the cancer rate and the lack of an elders care facility in the community.

She said some elders in Fort Resolution don't want to know they have cancer, and when told they have the disease, they fade quickly with the prospect of having to leave for a larger centre.

"Because they know they're not coming back to their community," she said.

Beaulieu agreed the Great Elders Facility should be reopened as a place for enhanced home care for four individuals, but not as a long-term care facility. His department will negotiate with the NWT Housing Corporation, which owns the building.

"We will start to move in that direction," he said.

Criticism was also directed at Beaulieu's handling of his job as MLA for Tu Nedhe, which includes Fort Resolution.

Carol Collins said the community has not really had an MLA since Beaulieu was named the minister of Health and Social Services.

"We have no voice in the (legislature)," she said.

The MLA was defended by Abernethy, his cabinet colleague, who said Beaulieu works hard for his district.

- with files from Cody Punter

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