n July 21, The Hoser attended the Grassy Narrows demonstration at Queen's Park in Toronto. A few hundred community members and allies gathered in front of the entrance of the legislature.
The people of Grassy Narrows are demanding fair compensation for the mercury crisis and respect for protected areas.
“It is our food source. Our drinking water. And our travel route for hunting and gathering. It once created employment for our people. In guiding. Fishing. But in the 1960s mercury poison was found in our water,” Robert Williamson said. "Nobody has taken responsibility totally."
The Grassy Narrows community and their allies say they will continue to push for justice and compensation from the provincial government. All photos were taken by The Hoser photojournalist Laura Proctor.
Allies and community members from Grassy Narrows march from Queen’s Park through downtown Toronto, demanding justice for the 9 tonnes of mercury dumped in their water in the 60’s. July 21, 2022.
Drummers play behind a memorial to the children whose remains have been found on the grounds of Canadian residential schools, as allies and community members from Grassy Narrows march from Queen’s Park, demanding mercury justice on July 21, 2022.
Aliqa Illauq, an Inuk woman originally from Kangiqtugaapik in the Qikiqtaaluk region in Nunavut, speaks at Queen’s Park to allies and Grassy Narrows community members as they protest at Toronto’s Queen’s Park to demand mercury justice on July 21, 2022.
Grassy Narrows community members Annette Pahpasay (l) and her sister Christine Pahpasay (r) hold up signs with photos of their uncle Steve Forbister on them. Steve passed away from what they believe was ultimately mercury poisoning. He was diagnosed with ALS, but Christine points out that 4 people on their reserve had ALS; a rarity. A 2019 study found that long-term mercury exposure over a period of years may increase the risk of ALS in life. July 21, 2022.
Community members and leaders from Grassy Narrows First Nation, alongside allies, protest at Queen’s Park to demand justice for 9 tonnes of mercury being dumped in their water in the 60’s on July 21, 2022.
Members of Grassy Narrows and allies protest in downtown Toronto, demanding justice for the 9 tonnes of mercury that was dumped in their water in the 60’s on July 21, 2022.
Drummers play as allies and community members march by at Toronto’s Queen’s Park, demanding mercury justice on July 21, 2022.
Members of Grassy Narrows and allies protest at Queen’s Park in Toronto, demanding justice for the 9 tonnes of mercury that was dumped in their water in the 60’s onJuly 21, 2022.
Allies and community members from Grassy Narrows march from Queen’s Park through downtown Toronto, demanding justice for the 9 tonnes of mercury dumped in their water in the 60’s. July 21, 2022.
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