pany or the government. Dealing with the physical and psychological effects of this en- vironmental disaster for more that 50 years, the Anishinaabeg have continued to advo- cate for the clean-up of the river and for the health needs of their people.
SPEAKING OUT
Finally, in 2016, a former papermill worker broke the silence about mercury dumping in Dryden. The government admitted to know- ing about mercury disposal at the mill, but incredibly, still maintained that the mercury wasn’t the source of the contamination. Chief Simon Fobister of Asabiinyashkosiwagong told the CBC, “I am shocked and dismayed by Ontario’s failure to protect our people who live downstream from this reported toxic mercury dump.” Fobister continued to advocate for his community as his body de- teriorated. After his death in 2018, his family vowed to continue his advocacy. Judy DaSilva, another lifelong advocate
from Asabiinyashkosiwagong, is a water pro- tector. In the Anishinaabeg worldview, water is regarded as a sacred life-form; it is essen- tial to life and must be protected. DaSilva has faced many obstacles in doing her work,
including being served with an injunction by CN Rail for holding a water ceremony alongside the railway tracks. Despite this, she continues to advocate for the water; in her words “As Anishinaabeg, I guess our strength as people…[is] to stand up for the water in any way that we can, even if it’s a ceremony.” (Council of Canadians expresses solidarity, 2015). DaSilva is part of a com- munity of Indigenous women worldwide who advocate for water; their ranks include respected women such as Josephine Manda- min (who passed in 2018) and 15-year-old Autumn Peltier of Wikwemikong who has received international recognition for her work. The work of these women transcends race and political boundaries. The youth of Asabiinyashkosiwagong are
no strangers to activism. In 2002, youth built a blockade on their territory to stop clear cut logging. They regularly participate in events and rallies; in 2019 they led the River Run Event in Toronto. The work being done in this community has attracted the attention of the Pulitzer Centre, an award-winning, non-profit news organization that partners with journalists and newsrooms to support in-depth reporting on critical global issues.
ELEMENTARY TEACHERS’ FEDERATION OF ONTARIO 17
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