Fort Chip invites oilsands scrutiny

EDMONTON - Dr. John O'Connor will be returning to Fort Chipewyan to a hero's welcome Friday to deliver the keynote speech at a "Water is Boss" conference.O'Connor, the doctor who drew attention to health problems in the community downstream from the oilsands, is held in high esteem, said Athabasca Chipewyan Chief Allan Adam."He is perceived as a good man," Adam said Tuesday on the eve of the five-day conference that kicks off with an elders and youth gathering. "His name will be legend."Mikisew Cree spokesman George Poitras said O'Connor, who now runs a medical clinic in Nova Scotia, has paid a high price for raising concerns about what he called disproportionate rates of rare cancers in the community, and local people are grateful for his sacrifice.