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AROUND THE SOUTH SLAVE: GNWT and feds advise of low health risk on rail bed

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South Slave

The GNWT and the federal government are advising South Slave residents of a low health risk associated with some activities on the former Pine Point rail bed.

In an Aug. 7 news release, they warned that cadmium and lead found in the surface soils and on vegetation along the former rail bed pose a low health risk when ingested.

"To avoid spreading this material into communities and the environment, we advise the public not to take quarry material from the former rail bed and surrounding area," the news release reads.

The government also advised that rail bed users should take the following steps to lower risks to their health: wear a mask when riding an ATV, do not let children play in the contaminated dirt, and thoroughly wash berries, mushrooms and edible plants before eating them.

Signs have been placed at access points to the rail bed to remind users of the steps to lower risks to their health. The signs present safety messages in pictograms and in five languages: English, French, Chipewyan, Cree and South Slavey.

The rail bed is an 80-km decommissioned railway, first built in 1964 for the mining operation at Pine Point. The railway operated up to the early 1990s.

The rail bed begins at Sandy Creek, 10 km southeast of Hay River, and continues to the former Pine Point town site.

On-the-land addictions treatment program set

Thebacha/Fort Smith

Salt River First Nation in Fort Smith in partnership with Poundmaker's Lodge Treatment Centre of St. Albert, Alta., will be presenting an on-the-land mobile addictions treatment program from Sept. 12 to Sept. 24.

The program, which will be open to all residents of Fort Smith and area, will take place at the Salt River Settlement.

Community Services Fair planned in Fort Smith

Thebacha/Fort Smith

The 13th-annual Community Services Fair is being planned at Aurora College in Fort Smith.

It is set for Sept. 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the foyer of the college.

The Community Services Fair welcomes new and returning students to the college, provides information on services in Fort Smith, connects the students with local businesses and helps them make new contacts.