Contamination from upstream tar sands/oil sands development is causing higher levels of cancer and other serious disease for members of the Athabasca Chipewyan and Mikisew Cree First Nations, a University of Manitoba research report confirmed Monday. As a result, reports Climate Progress, community members can no longer eat foods that were grown, hunted, or caught on their traditional lands. “The debate between the community and the government has been contentious — especially as the community says cancer and sickness rates have skyrocketed in the last 30 years,” Atkin writes. The Canadian government has refused to do a comprehensive health study to figure out the cause.”(More coverage in the Edmonton Journal, via InsideClimate News)