The community rally was held in Fort Chipewyan, a community where residents believe their health is being affected by polluted river water. That concern was first raised by local doctor Dr. John O'Connor, who noted an unusually high rate of a rare cancer among his patients. O'Connor spoke at the rally, as did renowned aquatic ecologist David Schindler, and representatives from Pembina, the Athabasca River Watershed Alliance and the Washington, D.C.-based Natural Resources Defense Council. [George Poitras] said people are interested in hearing about the expedition members' experiences of the Athabasca River and the changes they saw from the headwaters to the Fort Chipewyan area.