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Support Grassy Narrows First Nation:
Raising awareness about Mercury Poisoning and Native Land Rights
On June 5th a group of youth from Grassy Narrows First Nation will be arriving in the city after walking more than 2000 kilometers from their traditional territory in Northwestern Ontario. They will be welcomed by members of the April 28 Coalition—Six Nations land defenders and non native allies—along with other Toronto allies, who will be holding a community potluck and barbecue on June 5th at 4PM in Grange Park.
The youth have been walking since April 29 to raise awareness about chemical dumping and mercury poisoning [of the English River System] that the government and corporations have caused over the past decades.
Mercury poisoning from industrial logging at the Dryden Paper Mill in the 1960’s still has dire effects on both adults and children in Grassy Narrows, Wabauskang and White Dog First Nations. Meanwhile, industrial scale clearcut logging continues in their territories.
This evening’s BBQ is being hosted by the April 28 Coalition—Indigenous land defenders from Six Nations as well as native and non native allies—along with other Toronto activists, supporters, and community members.
After today’s BBQ, there is a speaking event at 25 Cecil featuring Judy Da Silva and Dr. Hanada, with Lee Maracle and CUPE Ontario’s Aboriginal DVP Joanne Webb.
Come join CUPE Ontario and show support for Grassy Narrows First Nation.
Events:
SPEAK OUT. Tuesday June 5, 6:30 p.m.
Topic: Pollution in Our Water, Poison in Our Bodies.
Where: Steelworkers Hall, 25 Cecil St. (South of College, East of Spadina).
Featuring: Judy Da Silva of Grassy Narrows, Dr. Masanori Hanada, Lee Maracle, Joanne Webb of CUPE.
FISH FRY. Wednesday June 6, Noon.
What: Grassy Narrows challenges Premier McGuinty to eat their local fish at a traditional fish fry on an open wood fire.
Where: Queens Park south lawn.
Please note: Meet outside the University of Toronto Student Union Building, just south of Hart House, at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday and walk to Queens Park for noon
RIVER RUN creative march and rally. Friday June 8, Noon.
Visual: Grassy Narrows people, and hundreds of their supporters, will deploy 15,000 square feet of blue fabric rippling in the wind to create a wild river that will flow to Queen’s Park to demand justice, accompanied by traditional drummers, and by colourful fish puppets.
Where: Starting at Grange Park (behind the AGO on Beverly south of Dundas).
End: Arriving at Queen’s Park around 1:15 p.m. for speeches and demands.
Speakers: Grassy Narrows mothers, Chief Fobister, Bruce Cox (Greenpeace ED), Joanne
Webb (CUPE ON), Maryam Adrangi (Council of Canadaians).
For more information go to: FreeGrassy.net
