Research by Schindler and his colleagues shows increases of toxic metals in the river and lands surrounding. Most elements listed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Authority were high including antimony, beryllium, cadmium, copper, nickel, selenium, silver, thallium and zinc. Levels were highest near oil sands industrial development.

Dr. Gina Solomon, senior scientist with Natural Resources Defense Council was invited by the community to provide her thoughts on the February 2009 Alberta Cancer Board study.

"What you keep seeing is links to hydrocarbons and petroleum products in the scientific studies. That's the case for the leukemias and lymphomas, as well as for the bile-duct cancer and for the soft-tissue sarcomas, which is also an extremely rare cancer," Solomon told the crowd, noting her biggest concern is the potential contaminants in the food chain.

Both Schindler and Solomon support calls from the Fort Chipewyan community for further research regarding new higher levels of contaminants and potential increased illness.