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Chief Vern Janvier of Chipewyan Prairie Dene First Nation said changes in indigenous lifestyles over the last 30 years have undoubtedly shortened lifespans.

Before Highway 881 was built, the community 120 kilometres south of Fort McMurray used to rely heavily on wild foods. Members would get exercise as they hunted, fished and trapped their meals, he said.

Today, moose populations have declined, meaning there is more reliance on store bought food, which has led to higher rates of heart disease and diabetes, said Janvier, 48.

“I remember people used to live, at 90 years old they were still walking around in good shape. Today our 79-year-olds … most of them are really old,” he said.

He said the last couple of years have been particularly hard due to the poor economy. Unemployment on the reserve has made it difficult for people to afford healthy food and other necessities.

“The reservation is basically a PoW camp, that’s how we live, that’s how we stay.”

About 250 kilometres south, at the Saddle Lake Cree Nation, Eric Shirt said the trend in life expectancy can be reversed with proper investments in jobs, education, social services and other things that affect quality of life.

He said his community in particular could benefit from more housing, road improvements, an extended care facility for elders and access to healthier foods.

“Some people will say diabetes runs in the family; it’s the food environment that runs in the family that triggers the disease,” said Shirt, a former chairman of the National Aboriginal Health Organization’s traditional health and healing committee.