grassy narrows

Grassy Narrows Mercury Poisoning

Grassy Narrows Mercury Poisoning

Here’s a disturbing news article that identifies the social problem of mercury poisoning in the community of Grassy Narrows First Nation. A pulp mill in Dryden Ontario dumped mercury in the Waabigoon River forty years ago. Since 1960 the people from Grassy Narrows have supported their local economy through the tourism camps, and the tour guides and tourists would eat the fish that they would catch (Wall, 2012). Many of the tour guides were told by their employers to eat the fish, so that it wouldn’t impact the tourist industry. Furthermore, the government knew about the mercury in the river, but denied it was making people sick. The Grassy Narrows First Nation’s people who have been eating the fish they catch, and drinking along with bathing in the contaminated water have all experienced devastating and irreversible effects of mercury poisoning.

Over the past forty years people have been suffering in silence up in Grassy Narrows. Many of the people with mercury poisoning experience symptoms of numbness, loss of their senses, violent seizures, and they have difficulty eating because they can’t feel the muscles in their faces and jaws. A Japanese researcher named Dr. Masazumi Harada  who is a mercury expert that has been following this issue for decades, stated that “ Minamata Disease is caused by mercury poisoning, and it permanently impacts the central nervous system” (Wall, 2012). The expert also stated that “59% of 160 people examined in Grassy Narrows & White Dog had mercury poisoning, and 44% of people aged 21-41 were impacted even though they were born after the dumping.  Most children born with mercury poisoning have serious health problems which include damage to the central nervous system, as well as developmental issues. The mothers while pregnant pass the mercury poisoning onto the unborn fetuses. 

This silent killer is an act of genocide and scientists are estimating it could take up to one hundred years for the mercury to go away. This community has had to face challenges with alcohol, violence, and suicide within the population of 1400. These challenges currently faced are the outcome of loss of their local economy. Chief Simon Fobister stated that “The biggest issues of concern in Grassy Narrows is the health impacts on its people, their commercial fishing industry has been seriously impacted, as well as guiding opportunities” (Wall, 2011). The most unsettling part of all about these issues in Grassy Narrows is in 1985, after a fifteen year battle with the Ontario government and the Dryden Paper Mill Company; disgustingly low monthly settlements were approved and paid out to the residents of Grassy Narrows. Former Chief Phil Formestor succumbed to his death at the age of 60 due to complications caused from having extreme levels of mercury poisoning. The next Chief, Steve Formestor can’t talk or eat without holding his jaw due to loss of senses, and he is barely able to walk. He currently receives a monthly compensation for $250.00 per month for mercury poisoning. Another innocent victim of mercury poisoning is a twelve year old girl who has serious health problems. Some of these issues include: violent seizers and being developmentally delayed.  She currently is paid the highest possible compensation at $800 dollars monthly; this is in trust until she reaches the age of eighteen. When the mother was speaking to the reporter she was asked “Did you know the fish was bad to eat?” Although she answered no, she went on to explain that “up here we enjoy fishing and eating the fish, it’s part of life and our culture, for our people up here” (Windego, 2012).

It is my understanding that the Neo-Liberalism ideology approach supports destroying the environment for the sake of being economically productive. Business should be privately owned and free from government interference in order to make profit and create jobs which is equally important in stabilizing the economy with the industries of forestry and tourism. Corporate taxes along with minimum wage and workplace legislation squeeze out jobs which forty years ago helped support the local economy of Grassy Narrows (Mullaly, 2007).
Thanks Allison

References

Mullaly, B. (2007). The liberal and neo-liberal paradigms. InThe New Structural Social Work (3rd ed., p. 93). Don Mills, ON: Oxford University Press.

Porter, J. (Producer) (2012). Cbc news story [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c79DFYxjipo

Wall, P. (Producer) (2011). Cbc news story [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?vMzkza4Ip-vo

Windego, D. (Producer) (2012). Aptn national news [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBSIt0NGqic