Across Turtle Island, — and the globe — Indigenous Nations are asserting their rights and striving to restore justice to a world devastated by colonialism. Colonial law continues to disenfranchise Indigenous peoples everywhere, but Indigenous voices continue to break through the hypocrisy of industry executives and government officials who hide behind half-hearted attempts at reconciliation. The movement for Indigenous justice is multifaceted and inspiring, offering lessons in true leadership from the Nations who pursue environmental justice and sovereignty through the courts.
One such example is Grassy Narrows First Nation — Asubpeeschoseewagong Anishinabek — whose decades-long struggle for mercury justice is a powerful testament to Indigenous resilience and leadership.
A Legacy of Environmental Injustice
Decades ago, a pulp mill discharged ten tonnes of mercury waste into the English-Wabigoon river system, a vital waterway in northern Ontario. This reckless act of environmental negligence led to widespread mercury toxicity, severely affecting the lives and health of the Grassy Narrows community. Three generations and counting have lived with the devastating consequences of this contamination.
Once ingested, mercury never goes away. It “bioaccumulates,” meaning it passes from one generation to the next, from mother to child, through the placenta. Even today, children of mothers who ate fish from the English-Wabigoon river during pregnancy are four times more likely to be born with nervous system disorders and learning disabilities.
Exposure to inorganic mercury attacks the brain and nervous system and its symptoms include loss of sense of touch, balance, coordination, vision, and hearing. Even at relatively low levels, mercury also increases the risk of a wide range of conditions including learning disabilities and other conditions that impact success at school, diabetes not treatable with insulin, neuropsychological disorders, premature death, and suicidal ideation in youth.
Today, 90% of community members tested exhibit symptoms of mercury poisoning, a grim testament to the lasting impact of this environmental and cultural disaster.
Legal Action for Justice
Despite the severe and ongoing health crisis, both the federal and provincial governments have failed to adequately address the contamination. As most Indigenous communities experience: the Canadian government’s actions are not in the best interest of Grassy — and definitely not in line with true reconciliation.
With RAVEN’s support, Grassy Narrows First Nation is now taking Canada and Ontario to court over this ongoing environmental catastrophe. Their historic legal action seeks justice for the persistent mercury contamination and the profound harm it has caused in the past 60 years. And, this pursuit of justice is not just about seeking redress for past wrongs; it is about securing a future where the rights and health of Indigenous peoples are respected and protected.
Indigenous communities continue to embody true leadership as, like Grassy, they take action for clean water, restoring balanced relationships to the land, and stewarding our more-than-human kin. Indigenous voices are reclaiming rights through the courts and protecting all our futures from the devastating impacts of environmental negligence and systemic disregard for diverse ecosystems to thrive.
The Broader Context
What has been happening in the Grassy Narrows community for decades is emblematic of the broader issue faced by Indigenous communities worldwide: the ongoing impacts of colonization. Environmental injustices, compounded by historical and ongoing systemic inequities, continue to threaten the lands, waters, and ways of life that we all depend on. The leadership demonstrated by Grassy Narrows — such as a 20 year logging blockade, community-led research on mercury poisoning, starting the Land Defence Alliance with three other First Nations, and so much more — highlights the importance of supporting Indigenous-led movements and respecting Indigenous sovereignty.
This Indigenous Peoples Day, we recognize and celebrate the powerful leadership of Indigenous Nations who continue the pursuit of justice in the face of relentless colonization. Be in solidarity with Grassy Narrows, and all Indigenous communities advocating for justice, health, and the right to live in harmony with their lands and waters — and let us support the pursuit of a just and sustainable future for all. Donate to Grassy’s legal challenge here.
