Ontario: Uphold Indigenous Rights in Grassy Narrows

"We know the mercury is there. We've lived it. We lost our fishing because of it. No more words. No more studies. No more meetings. We want action." – Grassy Narrows Chief Simon Fobister

Between 1962 and 1970, a mill in Dryden, Ontario dumped more than 9 metric tons of untreated inorganic mercury into the English and Wabigoon Rivers in Northwestern Ontario. These waters had been a source of both food and jobs for the people of Asubpeeschoseewagong (Grassy Narrows) and neighbouring First Nations. 

More than 40 years ago, people in Grassy Narrows learned that they had greatly elevated levels of mercury in their bodies. Many began showing signs of neurological degeneration associated with mercury poisoning. 

More than 4 decades later, community members continue to suffer from disproportionate rates of serious health problems. This includes children born long after the mercury dumping was halted. 

The river has never been cleaned up, despite two scientific studies, one in the 1980s and one just released, saying the river can and should be restored.

To make matters worse, the people of Grassy Narrows have had to fight to prevent the destruction of their forest by intensive industrial logging.

Call on the Premier of Ontario to honour her responsibility to uphold Indigenous rights in Grassy Narrows.

Dear Premier Wynne,

The people of Asubpeeschoseewagong (Grassy Narrows) have suffered decades of injustice.

As community leaders have long stressed, control over and use of the forest is critical to finding a path out of the severe poverty, ill-health, and cultural loss that been inflicted upon the people of Grassy Narrows.

I stand with the people of Grassy Narrows in calling for:

- clean-up of the mercury contamination of the river system and dedicated health care for those suffering from the effects of mercury poisoning

- ongoing, community-run monitoring of the health of their waters

- respect for the community’s moratorium on further clear-cut logging on their traditional territory

[Your comments here]

Sincerely,
[Your name]
Update #17 years ago
A new study on Grassy Narrows reveals that 90 percent of residents show signs of mercury poisoning. Further, it's come to light that officials within the provincial environment ministry had repeatedly flagged concerns that clearcutting could lead to new mercury being introduced to the river system through runoff. The injustice to the Grassy Narrows community is clear. Please continue to share as widely as possible to keep up the fight for Indigenous rights.
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