April 8, 2010

Hundreds of people supported Grassy Narrows by taking part in the march, which involved a 15,000 square foot piece of blue fabric creating a ‘wild river’ that flowed up University Ave. into Queen’s Park.

“How can we have trust, and reconciliation when the government of Ontario walks away from their responsibility to make things right about the mercury pollution they permitted,” Grassy Narrows Chief Simon Fobister said. “Our grassroots people are still suffering the affects on their health and livelihood from this poison in the water. The province needs to come back to the table to resolve the mercury issue.”

40 years ago Ontario banned fishing in the river system in Grassy Narrows due to high levels of mercury pollution in the water. Recent studies by Japanese mercury expert Dr. Harada have shown health effects in the community are worse now then they were 40 years ago when Ontario banned fishing.

“The province must come back to the table to finally make things right about mercury,” said Judy Da Silva, a Grassy Narrows band member. “We must stop the mills from destroying our forests, our water, and our culture for the survival of all people. The forests and waters of Grassy Narrows must be placed under the protection of our own people so that we can heal and recover what we have lost for our children.”