River Run July 21, 2022: Walk with Grassy Narrows for Mercury Justice!
From the Canadian Environmental Law Association
By Theresa McClenaghan, Executive Director
Over many decades, the Grassy Narrows First Nation in northwestern Ontario has experienced the devastating impacts of an ongoing mercury crisis, tainted water, floods, and clearcutting of their forests – all caused by industrial and resource extraction activities.
CELA has worked to support Grassy Narrows FN through legal representation to combat the environmental injustice that has plagued this community for far too long
On Thursday, July 21st, you can join a family-friendly march for mercury justice and freedom for Grassy Narrows First Nation. Register for the event here.
See below for more information about this important event from Grassy Narrows First Nation.
Date: Thursday, July 21, 2022
Time: 12pm
Location: Downtown Toronto, details TBD
Sign up: https://freegrassy.net/riverrun2022/
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 1,700km from Grassy Narrows to Toronto to demand that Ontario and Canada:
- Compensate everyone in Grassy Narrows fairly for the mercury crisis
- Respect the Grassy Narrows Indigenous Protected Area (end mining and logging plans in Grassy Narrows territory)
- 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 https://freegrassy.net/riverrun2022/ (opens in a new tab)
-Donating towards travel funds for community members to come to Toronto: https://www.gofundme.com/f/mercury-justice-for-grassy-narrows-river-run-22
-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 9 tonnes of mercury was dumped upstream in the 1960s, with little action from governments to help the people.
To this day, 86% 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.
Grassy people are powerful leaders in the movement for Indigenous sovereignty and environmental justice. They have shown us that we can fight for justice against all odds and make real gains.
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 Center 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 Grassy Narrows’ fight for mercury justice!
This is a family friendly event. Rain or shine!
Check out FreeGrassy.net for more details as the event approaches.
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