The people of Grassy Narrows have sustained themselves for thousands of years on their traditional territory – 2,500 square miles of forest, lakes and rivers north of Kenora, Ontario. Now plans for clear-cut logging, mining and the legacy of residential schools, hydro damming, relocation, and mercury poisoning threaten to uproot the way of life of the Asubpeeschoseewagong Anishinabek.
The OFL and a host of community partners joined the Grassy Narrows mothers in challenging Premier Dalton McGuinty to attend a traditional fish fry at Queen’s Park for a meal of local fish cooked on an open wood fire. However, days before the event, organizers were informed that the cook-out was banned. Instead the marchers created a “wild river” of blue fabric rippling to Queen’s Park by unfurling a 15,000 square foot flowing blue quilt, accompanied by traditional drummers and colourful fish puppets.
OFL Vice-President Representing Aboriginal People Joanne Webb spoke at the rally. The event raised awareness about the health impact of mercury poison fifty years after a Dryden mill began dumping 10 tones of the neurotoxin into Grassy Narrows’ English-Wabigoon River.
“Every day mothers in Grassy Narrows must choose between hunger and feeding their families our traditional fish diet. We are asking that McGuinty step in our shoes for one meal, so he can understand why we say no to pollution and destructive industrial logging that brings even more mercury into our fish,” said Judy Da Silva, a Grassy Narrows mother.
