Donate to Support Grassy Narrows’ Historic Legal Action

On June 4, 2024, Grassy Narrows First Nation launched landmark litigation against Ontario and Canada seeking justice for the terrible harm caused by the mercury contamination of their life-giving river. The monumental case argues that the government has egregiously violated its obligations to Grassy Narrows by failing to ensure that Grassy Narrows people could safely practice their right to fish–a cornerstone of Grassy Narrows’ sustenance and Indigenous way of life. 

The government allowed the river to be poisoned and has neglected to remediate the river, while authorizing industrial activities that further damaged the ecosystem and exacerbated harm. A shocking new report released in May revealed that for decades the government has allowed the Dryden pulp mill to discharge effluent that at least doubles the mercury levels in Grassy Narrows’ Wabigoon River fish by fueling the process that creates methylmercury, the most dangerous form of mercury which accumulates in fish and poisons the people who eat them. This case will be a test of Ontario’s and Canada’s commitment to truth, reconciliation, and justice following one of Canada’s worst environmental and human rights catastrophes.

Grassy Narrows is going to court to protect its people and Territory from further environmental contamination. They seek meaningful remediation, compensation for the extreme harm they have suffered, a stop to the mill’s pollution and an end to industrial threats to their land, water, and people. Their goal remains the restoration of the health of their people and land, their wellbeing and their way of life.

By suing the government Grassy Narrows hopes to finally achieve justice and government accountability. “We’re frustrated and sad it has come to this, but after 54 years of efforts the government has left us with no choice but to sue in order to protect our people and our Territory from more harm. We need the government to meaningfully redress the harms we have suffered so that we can finally restore our community’s health and wellbeing and secure a bright future for our children,” says Chief Turtle.

Photos of the litigation launch event here. 

Watch the full announcement here.

Read full press release here.

Read News Coverage here. 

Learn more here.