By Bryan Eneas

More traditional grounds affected by oil slick on the Saskatchewan River

Sep 1, 2016 | 12:00 PM

While waiting from a response from Husky Energy, the James Smith Cree Nation has taken it upon themselves to investigate the oil slick swiftly moving down the Saskatchewan River.

The Cree Nation has found strange looking foam on their traditional grounds near the George Willis Bridge located roughly 30 km east of the community.

A press release from James Smith stated there has been no explanation provided by Husky Energy as to where the oil originated. The Cree Nation also asked for lines of communication to be opened between all of the parties involved with clean-up efforts.

“This is a genuine oil spill, one that could only have come from the Husky Oil Spill that occurred on July 21, 2016 at or near Maidstone, Sask. No explanations have been given to our First Nation on any of this. The information that we have gained thus far is information that we, as the James Smith Cree Nation, has had to fight for,” a press release from the First Nation stated.

An oil slick was first spotted by community members on August 18. Officials from the Water Security Agency, as well as the James Smith Cree Nation, collected samples from the foam, water, and sediment to be tested. Results from the Water Security Agency found Phenanthrene, a petroleum compound, in foam samples taken from the river near James Smith.

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More water, foam, and sediment tests were taken on August 24, the results of which have not returned. The samples are also being compared to the oil found in the North Saskatchewan River to determine whether or not this slick was caused by Husky Energy.

James Smith has also raised concerns that sturgeon spawning grounds have been impacted by this slick. An investigation by the community on August 27 found oil in the spawning grounds. Numerous dead insects, frogs and crayfish were taken from that site according to James Smith Cree Nation.

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas