On February 13, 2017, the government in Ontario, Canada announced that it is completely committed to identifying mercury contamination near Grassy Narrows and cleaning up the toxins, a big step for the local Canadian First Nations people who have been demanding action for 40 years.
Between 1962 and 1970, a paper plant in the city of Dryden dumped 20,000 pounds of mercury into the English-Wabigoon River. The plant is only 100 kilometers upstream from Grassy Narrows, home to the First Nation native people.
In the four decades since the original contamination, dangerously high levels of mercury in the soil and river have indicated that there is an ongoing source of toxins, likely the old paper mill. Not only have the fish and water supply been impacted by the contamination, but 90 percent of the people in Grassy Narrows have shown symptoms of mercury poisoning, including loss of muscle-coordination and tunnel vision.
Since 2001, Global Greengrants Fund has supported Grassy Narrows First Nation with 13 grants to help call attention to the contamination of their land and water, spread the word about the negative health impacts, and demand action to clean up the toxins.
Judy DaSilva, a Global Greengrants grantee and leader in the Canadian First Nations community, has helped organize local efforts and action. She herself suffers from the effects of mercury poisoning, but has devoted her life to improving the health of the land and her people.
While the work may be far from over, at Global Greengrants Fund we’re proud to be celebrating this exciting accomplishment with the people of Grassy Narrows and with Judy.
Congratulations to the Grassy Narrows First Nation for all your hard work to achieve this positive step forward.
While the news that the government will conduct cleanup is reason to celebrate, Judy and Grassy Narrows still need support and vigilance until the river is clean and the local people are healthy. The government has made promises like this before, but failed to follow through.
Judy says about the news, “This is a big step, but I’ve seen too many people die waiting for action. I’ll believe it when I see it.”
Once started, cleanup can take more than a decade to complete.
We stand in solidarity with all efforts to ensure that the government follows through, honoring their commitment to clean land and healthy people.
For ways to support the efforts at Grassy Narrows, click here.
Photo: Allan Lissner / FreeGrassy.net