The Ontario government is committing $85 million to finally clean up the mercury-contaminated Wabigoon River that has poisoned the people of Grassy Narrows First Nation and nearby Whitedog First Nation for generations. The mercury, a potent neurotoxin, contaminated the fish, which poisoned the people of Grassy Narrows and nearby Wabaseemoong (Whitedog) Independent Nations. And it comes after decades of activism by Grassy Narrows community members, from chiefs to mothers to youth. The major announcement came the day before environmentalist David Suzuki was scheduled to visit Grassy Narrows. A recent study by Japanese experts concluded that 90 per cent of people tested in Grassy Narrows and Whitedog have a symptom of mercury poisoning.

Source: thestar June 27, 2017 22:49 UTC