Levels of 19 elements in scalp hair samples taken from 122 children and 27 adults in three northern Alberta Indian villages were compared in an effort to trace contamination from the world's first tar sands oil extraction plants into the human population. One of the three communities (Fort McKay) is in close proximity to the plants; one is also in the tar sands ecosystem, but distant from the plants (Fort Chipewyan); the third is not in the tar sands ecosystem (Garden River). Children from Fort McKay (the exposed village) had highest average hair lead, cadmium and nickel levels. Unexpected results were found in the control village most distant from the tar sands plants (Garden River) where the children had significantly elevated levels of 8 metals. Water and air particulates were collected and analyzed for the 19 elements which were included in data analysis. Most of the results of the hair analysis can be explained by results from the environmental samples, but no immediate answer can be provided for large differences found between children and adults in Garden River. Detailed data analysis has revealed several sets of highly inter-correlated metals ('correlation clusters': Pb/Cd; Al/V/Fe; Ca/Mg/Sr/Ba), which may have important applications in metal toxicity and in assessing trace element status. Effects of age, sex, and sample washing procedure are discussed.