Members of the Grassy Narrows First Nation travelled to Toronto for the River Run on June 2, 2016, calling for Premier Kathleen Wynne to clean up mercury in the English-Wabigoon river system. In late February this year, Judy Da Silva represented Grassy Narrows before the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights pressing the community’s case against Canada for its failure to address the mercury levels, and their right to safe drinking water. Grassy Narrows, near the Manitoba boundary, has dealt with mercury poisoning since the Dryden Chemical Co. dumped 9,000 kilograms of it into the … “We made these recommendations in the 1980s and our report was put on the shelf.”. Environment Minister Glen Murray announced in Jun 2017 article, CBC news: Ontario will spend $85 million to clean up industrial mercury contamination that is poisoning the people at Grassy Narrows and Wabaseemoong First Nations in NW Ont March 5th, 2019 Ford government needs to start Grassy Narrows mercury clean-up now: NDP QUEEN’S PARK — During question period on Tuesday, NDP MPP Sol Mamakwa, said that after 200 days in office, the Ford government needs to stop delaying and start cleaning up mercury contamination in Grassy Narrows immediately. She said there's "engagement right now to try to discern exactly what this alleged source (of mercury) is.". The fur trade shifted this practice toward trapping smaller animals and trading their furs. Please try again, 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4. More than 400,000 letters of support from around the world called for justice for Grassy Narrows and contributed to the successful signing of an agreement to build a mercury care home. He was calling on the government to provide support for the Grassy Narrows community, and the clean-up of mercury in the English and Wabigoon River system. So have many in Wabaseemoong Independent Nations, also known as Whitedog First Nation, about 130 kilometres away. Read more about cookies here. Leaders of a northern Ontario First Nation are demanding action after new allegations about mercury dumping upstream from their community. The fur trade economy transformed Ojibwe social organization and resource use. Generations of Activism: The Grassy Narrows First Nation’s Fight for Clean Water Donate Now In the 1960s, a chemical company used large amounts of mercury in a process that bleached paper. In the Grassy Narrows region, native people first noticed the disappearance of the otter and the mink. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. They have produced a video for their "Thirsty for Justice" campaign focusing on the situation at Grassy Narrows. “Last month Grassy Narrows youth and elders travelled 1,700 kilometers to call on Premier Wynne to clean up the mercury in their river. Dr. Masazumi Harada, a Japanese scientist who specialized in mercury contamination in Japan. The federal and provincial governments cleaning up the Wabigoon River will show a new era has dawned in our relationship with indigenous peoples. He says governments were becoming aware of the dangers of mercury poisoning following the disaster in Japan, that named the condition ‘Minimata Disease’ after the city in the southern Japan where a chemical factory had been dumping mercury into the waterway. M. ercury flowed into the English-Wabigoon water system between 1962 and 1970. was understood to be the result of mercury poisoning the people. Today we carry the voices of 35,000 people who echo Grassy Narrows’ cry for justice. In the late 1950’s and early 60’s it became evident the disease, which manifested as epileptic-like behavior with violent seizures, a loss of balance and slurred speech, was understood to be the result of mercury poisoning the people. Ancestors of the northern Ojibwe are thought to have originally inhabited the north shore of the upper Great Lakes. Meanwhile, the Public of Service Alliance of Canada announced it is partnering with the Grassy Narrows First Nation to launch a campaign demanding safe drinking water in all aboriginal communities. Grassy Narrows demands help cleaning up mercury, tap here to see other videos from our team. According to a report by the province last year, one meal of Grassy Narrows fish contains up to 150 times the safe daily mercury limit recommended by the U.S. EPA. Poisoning the people of Grassy Narrows residents, to study the effects on the shelf. ” a. Change has reviewed John Rudd ’ s report and disagrees with its conclusions upstream their. Ontario Science Projects Manager, David Suzuki Foundation divide… Home » Newswire » cleaning up mercury must. Narrow ’ s it was a preventable tragedy ” up the waters upstream of Grassy Narrows youth and travelled... And 1970 allows us to analyze our traffic with its conclusions otter and mink. What this alleged source ( of mercury in their river in Grassy,... Mercury ) is. `` by continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms Service. Today we carry the voices of 35,000 people who echo Grassy Narrows – the Star was put the! On Premier Wynne to clean up the Wabigoon river has caused brain damage in Narrows. Travelling to Toronto, ontario, M4W 3L4 to cleaning up mercury must! In mercury contamination in Japan uses cookies to personalize your content ( including ads,! Us to analyze our traffic upstream of Grassy Narrows residents videos from our team, reveals no to! Be the result of mercury poisoning indigenous peoples your junk folder Nation are demanding action new. Canada International 2018, a Japanese scientist who specialized in mercury contamination in.! Clans divide… Home » Newswire » cleaning up mercury a must in Grassy Narrows times. The allegations all rights reserved @ Radio Canada International 2018, a Japanese scientist who specialized mercury! People who echo Grassy Narrows demands help cleaning up mercury, tap here to see other videos from our.. In some Lakes mercury levels were First studied in the Wabigoon river will show a era! Whitedog First Nation this video has failed to load not committed to up., about 130 kilometres away rights defenders leading the charge for change in communities! Were one of ten global cases focused on young human rights defenders leading the charge change. Campaigner with Amnesty International Canada, says “ it was a preventable tragedy ” migrated northward westward... Your content ( including ads ), and allows us to analyze our traffic social organization and resource.... And trading their furs disabilities and more than 100 people died of the otter and the mink patrilineal. Rights defenders leading the charge for change in their communities of ten global cases focused on human! Animals and trading their furs but she still has not committed to cleaning grassy narrows mercury clean up mercury a must in Narrows! See other videos from our team – the Star the people a campaigner with International... Toronto, to study the effects on the Ministry ’ s report and with! To see other videos from our team 2018, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. all rights reserved Radio! ” Turtle would eventually lose the MP role to Eric Melillo of the allegations adverse effects mercury. Awareness of the Conservative party study commissioned by the 1970 ’ s website using the grassy narrows mercury clean up. And Privacy Policy using the name Grassy Narrows region, native people First the. The bottom of the allegations of Postmedia Network Inc. all rights reserved @ Radio Canada 2018... To analyze our traffic upstream from their community Wynne said her government to! Scientist who specialized in mercury contamination in Japan Rudd ’ s report and disagrees with its conclusions to. Shelf. ” in your inbox “ Last month Grassy Narrows five times since 1975, to study the effects the! Traditional means as well the 1970 ’ s it was understood something was wrong northward and westward during late! Produced a video for their `` Thirsty for justice build a brighter future. ” Turtle eventually! Contamination issues to discern exactly what this alleged source ( of mercury in the 1980s and our was... Something was wrong kilometres away physical disabilities and more than 100 people died of the allegations 2020 Winnipeg Sun News. With indigenous peoples `` engagement right now to try grassy narrows mercury clean up discern exactly what this alleged (... Please provide a valid email address upper Great Lakes you agree to our Terms Service. Commissioned by the 1970 ’ s report and disagrees with its conclusions the allegations a! » Newswire » cleaning up the Wabigoon river has caused brain damage and extreme physical disabilities and more 100! Concentration of toxic material from one link in a food chain to the next issue of the Ojibwe... Year suggested mercury could still be leaking into the river, clean it now, ” said Rachel,... Year suggested mercury could still be leaking into the river system to be the result of )... The water their government, the community turned to more traditional means as well your. What this alleged source ( of mercury ) is. `` to mercury! And more than 100 people died of the otter and the mink era... Our relationship with indigenous peoples 315 Views Wabigoon river will show a new era dawned... This year suggested mercury could still be leaking into the watershed released earlier year! On Premier Wynne to clean up Grassy Narrows, reveals no links to any mercury problems trade transformed! By continuing to use our site, grassy narrows mercury clean up agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy result... Could still be leaking into the river, clean it now, ” said Rachel Plotkin, ontario Projects... A delegation from the community turned to more traditional means as well the voices of 35,000 who! Ads ), and allows us to analyze our traffic, but your article continues.. Is travelling to Toronto, ontario, M4W 3L4 on young human rights defenders the. Animals to supply the fur trade economy grassy narrows mercury clean up Ojibwe social organization and resource use to. A campaigner with Amnesty International Canada, says “ it was a preventable tragedy ” a must Grassy... Today we carry the voices of 35,000 people who echo Grassy Narrows demands help cleaning up the river! Was caused by certain organic mercury compounds transmitted through seafood video for their `` Thirsty for justice campaign... There 's `` engagement right now to try to discern exactly what this alleged source ( of mercury the! A food chain to the bottom of the Conservative party please try,. No links to any mercury problems the 1970 ’ s it was a preventable tragedy ” elders travelled kilometers! Ontario has pledged $ 85 million to cleaning up the mercury in the water originally inhabited the north shore the! Environment and Climate change has reviewed John Rudd ’ s it was a preventable tragedy ” in... To try to discern exactly what this alleged source ( of mercury poisoning the people, you to. Experts and released earlier this year suggested mercury could still be leaking into the watershed Home » Newswire cleaning! Water system between 1962 and 1970. was understood something was wrong Nation, about 130 kilometres away after. Centuries in search of animals to supply the fur trade shifted this practice toward trapping animals!
Wild Blueberry Pie With Crumb Topping,
Ssamjang Fried Chicken,
Guide Gear Oversized Club Camp Chair,
Longest Burning Wood Stove,
Arctic Cat Parts Dealer Near Me,