James Smith Cree Nation finds tar-like substance on the banks of the Saskatchewan River
When the Saskatchewan River swelled due to rain in northern Alberta more driftwood started appearing along the river banks.
“We’ve still being going hard in regards to our findings. The river came up about three feet and all the debris that came down from Alberta hit our community. Now what we’re finding is a substance that’s on the debris that could be oil,” Chief Wally Burns said.
Sticks and logs piled along the banks of the Saskatchewan River, which runs through the heart of James Smith Cree Nation lands, are splattered with a black tar-like substance. A faint smell of oil comes off the pieces of wood. A few globs of the substance can be found in some of the vegetation on the shores of the river.
Representatives from Husky Energy visited James Smith during the second annual culture day’s celebration and participated in a sweat with leaders and elders from the community according to Burns. A water ceremony was also held with the Husky representatives, where two feathers were placed into the river after a prayer.