Home / Environment / Mi'kmaq Council Studies Moose for Pesticide Contamination
Mi'kmaq Council Studies Moose for Pesticide Contamination
13 Jul
Summary
- Mi'kmaq council investigates pesticide impact on moose health.
- Study focuses on DDT and glyphosate in moose liver and muscle.
- Indigenous Services Canada funds this crucial environmental study.
The North Shore Mi'kmaq Tribal Council has launched a significant study to determine if chemicals like DDT and glyphosate are impacting moose populations, a cornerstone of the Mi'kmaw food system. This initiative received $150,000 from Indigenous Services Canada's First Nations Environmental Contaminants program. The research will analyze moose livers, and potentially muscle tissue, for pesticide contamination, focusing on the Miramichi area and the Acadian Peninsula.
Community members from three Mi'kmaw First Nations—Metepenagiag, Natoaganeg, and Oinpegitjoig—will participate in collecting samples during the 2026 and 2027 fall hunts. This study was prompted by prior research identifying high levels of legacy DDT in nearby New Brunswick fish and lake sediments. While DDT's environmental persistence spans decades, glyphosate, still used in forestry, breaks down over weeks, presenting different analytical challenges.
Concerns are heightened due to the importance of moose meat for community members and food banks, especially given the disproportionately high rates of food insecurity in First Nations communities. Should the study reveal significant contamination, the council plans to collaborate with the government to address potential impacts on traditional food sources and ensure community well-being.
