Pay the Compensation Grassy Narrows Demands!
Thousands March to Queen's Park to Demand Justice for Grassy Narrows
Thousands of people took part in the Seventh River Run rally on September 18 to demand that the federal and provincial governments compensate the Ojibwe people of the Asubpeeschoseewagong (Grassy Narrows) First Nation, for the ongoing mercury pollution of the Wabigoon River system, end industrial development on the Grassy Narrows territory and respect the traditional way of life of the people.
The action began at noon in Grange Park behind the Art Gallery of Ontario. After thanking people for their decades-long support, Grassy Narrows First Nations Chief Rudy Turtle said that his people's struggle for justice has been long and hard but that they are determined to fight for their hereditary and treaty rights. "We are not going away. As long as the sun shines, as long as grass grows, as long as the river flows, we will remain Grassy Narrows First Nation," he said.
Between 1962 and 1970 the Dryden paper mill dumped 10 tons of mercury into the Wabigoon River 100 kilometres upstream from the Grassy Narrows First Nation, a community of some 2,000 people. The mercury poisoning has had a catastrophic impact on the community and has led to increased rates of birth defects, heart and lung diseases, and a mental health crisis in the community. A recent study indicated that 90 per cent of the residents of Grassy Narrows suffer the effects of mercury poisoning.
A study this past May found current sulphate emissions from the paper mill near the community are exacerbating the impact of the mercury in the river system. Neurotoxins from the accumulated poisons have adversely affected the health of the people as the fish and wildlife of the area that depend on the Wabigoon River system have been contaminated. Additionally both the federal and provincial governments have greenlit industry and mining development against the wishes of the people.
In June, Grassy Narrows First Nation sued the federal and provincial governments accusing them of allowing the Wabigoon River to be polluted and then refusing to remediate it while serving the interests of private mining and industry. This is a violation of the treaty obligations of the governments at both levels to ensure the health of the fish stock which is staple in the diet of the Grassy Narrows people. No statements of defence have yet been filed by either government.
Participants of all ages, many from Grassy Narrows First Nation, marched to Queen's Park where more speeches were made and a giant 1,600 square foot banner reading "Justice for Grassy Narrows" was unfurled. Union leaders including Fred Hahn, President of the Ontario Division of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, and other speakers decried the neglect and inaction of governments to ensure the well-being of the people of Grassy Narrows, and affirmed their continued support for their just demands.
(With files from Grassy Narrows First Nation, Toronto Star)
This article was published in
September 27, 2024
Article Link:
https://cpcml.ca/ITN2024/Articles/TI54183.HTM
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