BY PAUL JUNOR
The sight of about 8,000 marchers, demonstrators, supporters, union activists and others on the streets of Toronto was a sight to behold. They gathered on Thursday, September 19th, 2024, for the Grassy Narrows River Run. There has been much planning and preparation for this historic event.
The website states, “We invite you to walk with Grassy Narrows youth and community members in Toronto, to show that we are with them on their path to achieve mercury justice and freedom. 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. So much is still needed to right the wrong of mercury poisoning in Grassy Narrows.”
The Grassy Narrows Action Toolkit revealed that there has been utilized digital tools such as the petition to: Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, petition to Ontario Premier, Doug Ford and letter to editor to bring attention to this state of emergency. Judy Da Silva, Grassy Narrows mother, grandmother and Indigenous Rights and Ecological Justice Advocate states, “Our people have been trying to protect this land for so long. We’re fighting this big fight…we need solidarity…our voices are small but when people stand with us, it becomes powerful.”
There are three specific demands on Ontario and Canada which include:
- Compensate everyone in Grassy Narrows for the mercury crisis.
- Respect the Grassy Narrows Indigenous Protected Area (end mining and logging plans in Grassy Narrows territory and keep nuclear waste out of the watershed.
- Support Grassy Narrows in restoring their community and way of life from the damage that mercury has done.
On Wednesday, September 25th, 2024, a statement was released by Chief Turtle regarding the lack of response from Premier Ford regarding the demands that the people of Grassy Narrows have expressed as they deal with the poisoning of their water. The mercury poisoning from the Dryden Pulp Mill has resulted in serious: chemical, biological, and medical effects on many affected communities. Chief Turtle states, “We were there to demand that Premier Ford stop the Dryden Pulp Mill from releasing chemicals that poison Grassy Narrows people, including our babies and children. This extremely important event was one of the largest ever for Indigenous justice in Toronto.”
Chief Turtle is particularly concerned about the lack of response from the provincial government to the urgent issues of the Grassy Narrows community. Chief Turtle elaborates, “Premier Ford has been utterly silent in response to these demands. No investigation was launched, and no action was taken to stop the release of dangerous chemicals into our life-giving river. When Ford did speak, a week later, he ignored our demands and mischaracterized what took place at our event.”
There has been documentation from an academic researcher which shows that mill effluent from the Dryden Pulp Mill is making the problem worse as it amplifies the chemical process that transformed old mercury from the Grassy Narrows’ Wabigoon River into methyl mercury, which is even more harmful. Through bio amplification and bio accumulation there is a 200 % increase in the amount of mercury poison that ends up in the fish that is consumed.
Chief Turtle is particularly concerned that the fact that the Ontario government has given the Dryden mill an Environmental Compliance Approval it will continue to discard harmful effluent into the river. It is troubling that, “Ontario places no limit on how much of the chemicals that compound the mercury problem can be released, and no requirement for monitoring or reporting on these specific dangerous chemicals?”
Chief Turtle belongs to the Anishinaabe Nation, and fish play an integral role in their lifestyle and livelihood. The fact that the mercury levels have stayed high since the 1980s have prevented many of the inhabitants from depending on it for food and being able to sell it. Chief Turtle posed an important question, “What has the Ford government done to stop the harm from Dryden mill effluent since scientists raised the alarm four months ago? The simple answer is nothing.”
Chief Turtle mentioned some of the documented impacts of mercury poisoning in Grassy Narrows. They include:
- premature death
- neurological degeneration
- disease
- poverty
- food insecurity
- loss of culture
The youth of Grassy Narrows are further impacted due to increasing suicidality and conditions that impact learning. Chief Turtle notes further, “In spite of these extreme challenges, the youth of Grassy Narrows traveled 1,900 km last week to Toronto to raise their voices and to demand justice; their courage and perseverance is an inspiration. Their story is something that everyone in Canada has a duty to hear and learn from.”
Chief Turtle’s message is direct and specific. He states, “Premier Ford, stop the Dryden mill from harming my people and compensate us fairly.” He concludes his statement with these questions:
- Why is Premier Ford not protecting the children of Grassy Narrows?
- Why is Premier Ford not expressing outrage about the ongoing poisoning of Grassy Narrows allowed by his government? Grassy Narrows people believe it is because we are Indigenous.
- How else can you explain Ford’s callous silence and inaction in the face of our extreme suffering and ongoing harm?
- In light of September 30th,” when will our children matter to this government?
Anyone interested in learning about Grassy Narrows can check: www.FreeGrassy.net
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