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Grassy Narrows

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Posters plastered near Queen’s Park calling for Grassy Narrows justice

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The Ontario legislature was surrounded by posters reminding government officials about the dire situation in Grassy Narrows First Nation.

As Legislature returned to session this week, grassroots supporters of Grassy Narrows and its call for justice regarding environmental pollution installed posters around Queen’s Park in Toronto.

Those posters featured images of children pleading with the Ford government for compensation.

“Every time the government sits in that building, we are reminded that Doug Ford is still ignoring our people’s demands for justice,” said Grassy Narrows community member Chrissy Isaacs in a release. “These posters are here so they can’t look away anymore.”

Last year, it was reported that mercury in Grassy Narrows’ river system continued to impact the community due to an ongoing discharge of effluent from the Dryden Mill.

According to the Grassy Narrows First Nation, industrial mercury pollution that ran from the mill contaminated the English-Wabigoon River during the 1960s, devastating Grassy Narrows’ health, economy and “made fish toxic, cutting off a key food source and livelihood.”

The community says although the health impacts have been long-term, proper clean-up and supports by the province have been delayed for decades.

Supporters continue to call for a stop to the mill’s effluent as well as compensation for the harm done to the community members living in Grassy Narrows First Nation.

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Funding Not An Issue For Mercury Treatment Centre

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The MP for Kenora is calling on the Trudeau government to fulfill a commitment to establish a mercury treatment centre in Grassy Narrows First Nation.

In his maiden speech in the House of Commons, Eric Melillo pointed out that the government promised to act in 2017.

Melillo notes it’s nearly 2020 and “we still have seen no action.”

The Conservative member challenged the Minister of Indigenous Services to announce when the government plans to finally deliver on their promise.

Marc Miller responded “I am glad to have had the opportunity to have met with Chief Turtle last week. We had a good, productive conversation. In the meeting I reiterated my commitment and that of the Prime Minister’s to building a mercury treatment facility and that funding is not an obstacle.”

Miller says they share a will to move forward and adds he will have an update “in short order”.

According to a 1986 settlement agreement, the mercury pollution is the result of discharge from the Reed Paper company’s operation in Dryden into the Wabigoon-English River system.

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Another Plea For Mercury Care Home In Grassy

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The federal government is once again being asked to honour a promise to build a mercury care home for Grassy Narrows First Nation.

Officials stress their community continues to suffer from the effects caused by industrial dumping of mercury in its waterways during the 1960’s.

At the Assembly of First Nations Conference in Ottawa, Indigenous leaders took to the podium to demand immediate action.

Ronald (RJ) Bruce is a young member of the community and he stressed it’s upsetting to watch and witness the older generations go through this.

“Something you don’t want to see anyone go through. Just the struggles that they go through. It does upset me because their health and the fact they have the possibility of a shorter life span.”

Bruce stresses he will continue to fight and speak for the struggles that they are going through.

“For generations our community has struggled with mercury poisoning and I’m here to say that there has been an opportunity to build a mercury home. Why is it taking so long? Why do we have to wait for something that could be so simple and that could help our people.”

Bruce says”It kind of makes my voice shake. It’s upsetting. We have been fighting for this for generations and people continue to get sicker. Why the hold up? Why aren’t they doing this?”

He notes the lack of action is impacting their daily way of life.

Grassy Narrows says former Indigenous Services Minister Jane Philpott promised them a mercury care home back in 2017.

 

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NDP Leader Demands Mercury Treatment Centre

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Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says the new Liberal government must quickly deliver on a mercury treatment centre that was promised to Grassy Narrows nearly two years ago.

Singh stresses the First Nation deserves the kind of care and treatment we would all want for our families.

He notes toxic chemicals that were dumped 50 years ago into the English River system in a corporate crime left generations of families suffering from mercury poisoning.

Singh says while the Prime Minister has said all of the right things about reconciliation, he has failed to sign an agreement to help the community care for those suffering the effects of the poison.

He states “We must do better.”

 

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Singh Stops in Sioux Lookout

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It’s not very often you get to see a Federal campaign leader outside of city centres like Thunder Bay or Winnipeg. Last night, the leader of the Federal NDP showed in Sioux Lookout.

Speaking to reporters at 66 Front Street in Sioux Lookout, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said he will commit to ‘ending the gap’ on boil water advisories.

He then went a step further, promising that he will solve this problem ‘once and for all’.

Singh also calls for ‘equal funding and opportunities’ in regards to Indigenous communities.

Other points of note included mention of a universal dental-care program. Singh promising that the new program will cover up to ‘4 millions Canadians in the first year’.

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After being challenged on his promises, the federal party leader said “Powerful corporations… I don’t work for them. They don’t give me money. They don’t support me. I’m in it for these good folks in this room.”

The NDP leader spent his last few minutes to explain how he wants the rich to pay more.

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Chiefs Of Ontario Remembering Simon Fobister

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Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald is offering condolences on the passing of former Grassy Narrows Chief Simon Fobister.

Fobister passed away in Thunder Bay hospital on Monday.

Archibald says he was a strong and outspoken leader and advocate for Grassy Narrows and dedicated much of his life to bringing change to the community.

She says Fobister played an instrumental role in leading negotiations regarding clear-cut logging and continuously advocated for environmental justice and proper health care to address mercury poisoning.

Archibald adds Fobister was a powerful voice and was very committed to creating meaningful action to championing First Nations rights and protecting the traditional lands and waters surrounding Grassy Narrows.

She says their hearts go out to the community and his family and friends.