Environmental Contaminants Research

• Concerns around environmental contaminants—particularly glyphosate spraying—were raised during the 2022 food sovereignty assessment. In response, graduate student Liz Lovell from Lakehead University conducted a literature review, presented at the 2023 Fall Gathering. This work led to a collaborative research project between Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek (AZA), Lakehead University, and the Understanding Our Food Systems project, funded by the First Nations Environmental Contaminants Program (ISC).
• In 2024, a sharing circle with AZA community members highlighted key concerns:

• Decline in plants and animals in sprayed areas, limiting access to traditional foods
• Contamination impacts on waterways, animals, berries, and medicines
• Animals appearing diseased and food losing traditional qualities
• Reduced land access leading to fewer opportunities for youth to learn land-based teachings

Findings were shared at the 2024 Fall Gathering. A full report, video, graduate thesis, and other materials will be released in 2025.