JES! YES! First Nations Youth, Environment and Health

Every day, humans are exposed to a wide range of contaminants in their environment, i.e. in the air, drinking water, food, or consumer goods. It is generally accepted that Indigenous communities living in remote regions are at greater risk of exposure to contaminants due to their close ties with the land and consumption of certain wild foods. In fact, these traditional foods are of exceptional quality and represent a dietary intake that is essential for the health and well-being of First Nations as well as cultural continuity. However, some traditional foods may contain high levels of contaminants, which accumulate in wildlife. In addition, many Indigenous partners are concerned about industrial development near their communities, which may impact the environment, wildlife, water, air quality and their health. First Nations children and youth are one of the most vulnerable sub-populations to environmental contaminants  in Canada, but data on their exposure levels and health effects remain scarce.