Grassy Narrows First Nation Youth Walking 2000 kilometres to Toronto for Water and Awareness

Written by Press Release on 23 May 2012

A group of First Nations youth will be arriving in Toronto on June 4, in advance of River Run 2012, to raise awareness of decades old mercury poisoning, Indigenous land and water rights.

Photo from related facebook group; click to visit group.

CLICK HERE to hear an interview with one of the walkers by CBC Radio Thunder Bay

THUNDER BAY, ON —Arriving in Thunder Bay yesterday, May 22, after having walked over 600 kilometres from Grassy Narrows First Nation north of Kenora, Ontario, a group of Indigenous Anishnabe youth, including Edmond Jack, Shanice Desrosiers, and Jolene Hookimawillillene of Asubpeeschoseewagong, Grassy Narrows First Nation, are almost half way through a 2000 kilometre walk from their remote community in Northwest Ontario all the way to Toronto. They will be arriving in Toronto on June 4 to participate in River Run 2012, a week of events in Toronto, lead by community leaders from Grassy Narrows, culminating with a march and rally on June 8.

Edmond Jack, son of Chrissy Swain who has lead several similar past walks, says “we are walking with a group of young people to raise awareness about chemical dumping and mercury poisoning that the government and corporations have caused over the past decades, and to keep that message strong for the next generation, to carry on that message so that people don’t forget that the water is still being poisoned.”

The youth are walking to raise awareness about the decades old mercury poisoning of the English River from industrial logging at the Dryden Paper Mill in the 1960’s. The mercury poisoning 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.

Water contamination is but one way that the peoples of Grassy Narrows and other Indigenous Peoples have disproportionately experienced the devastating impacts of environmental destruction. Members of Asubpeeschoseewagong, Grassy Narrows First Nation will be joined by other Indigenous and non-native supporters for the River Run march and rally in Toronto on June 8. The walkers have already been joined by other youth and expect to pick up more support during their month long walk to Southern Ontario. Along the route, they will be stopping in several cities and First Nations communities, where hosts will be holding speaking engagements, community dinners, and other events.

The Walkers are currently seeking support in the form of financial donations to help cover food, gas for their support vehicle, cell phone minutes, and other costs. Please contact Alex.Hundert@Gmail.com to find out how to donate and support.

Makade Mukwa Walk for Water 2012 – Schedule

Thunder Bay – Leaving Thunder Bay Thursday May 24
Lake Helen – Arriving Thursday May 24, leaving May 25
Pays Plat – Arriving Friday May 25, leaving May26
Pick River / Heron Bay – Arriving Saturday May 26, leaving May 27
Michipikoton – Arriving Sunday May 27, leaving May 28
Sault Ste Marie – Arriving Monday May 28, leaving May 29
Serpent River – Arriving Tuesday May 29, leaving May 30
Sudbury – Arriving Thursday May 31, leaving June 1
Parry Sound – Arriving Saturday June 2, leaving June 3
Beau Soliel First Nation / Oshkiimaadzig – Arriving Sunday June 3, leaving June 4
Toronto – Arriving Monday June 5, event details TBA

***stops and events may be added to this schedule***

Toronto: River Run 2012. June 5 – 8, 2012

Speaking event with Judy DaSilva – June 5, 6:30 pm, Steelworkers Hall, 33 Cecil st.
Fish Fry event – June 6, noon, Queen’s Park – South Lawn.
March and Rally – June 8, noon, Grange Park.

MORE INFO

If you are in a community along their route and would like to host a speaking engagement, community meal or other event please contact Alex.Hundert@Gmail.com to find out how to donate and support.