In the News June 11

River Run 2022

Walk with Grassy Narrows for Mercury Justice!

Toronto

Thursday, July 21, 2022 – 12:00 pm
Downtown Toronto, details TBD

Sign up here.

Walk with Grassy Narrows youth and community members to show that we are with them on their path to achieve mercury justice and freedom!

This is a family friendly event. Rain or shine!

Check out FreeGrassy.net for more details as the event approaches.

Grassy Narrows people are powerful leaders in the movement for Indigenous sovereignty and environmental justice. They have shown that together we can fight for justice against all odds and make real gains.

But so much is still needed to right the wrong of mercury poisoning in Grassy Narrows.

In July 2022, fifty community members and leaders will travel 1,700 km from Grassy Narrows to Toronto to demand that Ontario and Canada:

1. Compensate everyone in Grassy Narrows fairly for the mercury crisis

2. Respect the Grassy Narrows Indigenous Protected Area (end mining and logging plans in Grassy Narrows territory)

3. Support Grassy Narrows in restoring their community and way of life from the damage that mercury has done.

Show Grassy Narrows that you are with them in this important fight by:

– Coming out to this action and sharing the event with your friends here.

– Donating towards travel funds for community members to come to Toronto here.

– Asking your organization to endorse the march, sending a large delegation to it, and sharing it to your email lists and social media platforms. Email solidarity@freegrassy.net to endorse the march and confirm your delegation’s attendance.

Background

The devastating mercury crisis in Grassy Narrows First Nation has persisted for decades, ever since nine tonnes of mercury was dumped upstream in the 1960s, with little action from governments to help the people.

To this day, 86 per cent of Grassy Narrows members get no compensation for the serious impacts of the ongoing mercury crisis on their health, culture, and livelihoods. To make matters worse, Ontario is still proposing mining exploration and industrial logging on Grassy Narrows lands against Grassy Narrows’ will.

Together we have kicked the world’s largest newsprint company off of Grassy Narrows lands, forced the government to commit to clean up the English and Wabigoon Rivers, comprehensively reform the Mercury Disability Board and build a Mercury Care Home and Treatment Centre in Grassy Narrows.

We won’t stop until Grassy Narrows has the good life that they enjoyed before mercury.

Come out to show your support for Grassy Narrows’ fight for mercury justice!

TML Daily, posted June 11, 2022.