A Fort Chip health study has been put on hold, but there is hope for future health research. Many advocate for a health study which looks at the aboriginal communities that live downstream of the Athabasca oilsands, and the Health Minister for Alberta has said that the province will not dismiss this idea, but it is currently on hold. Health Minister Stephen Mandel stated that it is premature to discuss details right now “There’s a bit more information we would need to get. It’s a bit premature to make decisions about that.” When Mandel visited with Chief Allan Adam and Chief Steve Courtoreille at the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre some of the biggest concerns voiced by the tribal leaders was the quality of air and water downstream from the oilsands.
After the meeting and discussion on a Fort Chip health study the possibility of future health research is promising. Mandel said “I told them we will look into some of their concerns about the quality of the water and environment and get a better handle of what those results are. I will look into the issues and see where we go from there.I find chiefs Adam and Courtoreille incredibly cooperative, warm and friendly and just concerned with their community. All of our goals and aspiration is to try and build the kind of community the chiefs would like to have.” Some of the First Nation leaders have proposed privately financing a health study if the Canadian government refuses to do this, but the lines of communication are still open.