UM Today UM Today University of Manitoba UM Today UM Today UM Today

Public Forum: The road to Minamata Convention and its implications for Grassy Narrows

November 25, 2013 — 

In the early 1950’s a paper mill was in full operation in the town of Dryden, Ontario, releasing tons of mercury into the Wabigoon River. Many health effects including birth deformities occurred in the downstream Grassy Narrows First Nation, and were attributed to Minamata Disease caused by methylmercury poisoning. The community is still impacted and unacknowledged as mercury poisoning despite the recent signing of the Minamata Convention on Mercury by Canada and more than 90 other countries.

Three panelists will discuss this at a public forum on Nov. 27.

Judy Da Silva was awarded the Michael Sattler Peace Prize in Germany in recognition of her lifelong work to advocate for her community’s health. Judy lives in Grassy Narrows and suffers from the effects of mercury poisoning in a mild form.

Ryan Duplassie is French and Anishinaabe from the Robinson-Superior Treaty area, north shore of Lake Superior. He is a father, and a PhD candidate in Native Studies at the University of Manitoba looking at Grassy Narrows’ experience and water rights.

Feiyue Wang is a professor who researches on mercury in the environment at the Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources of the University of Manitoba.

Speakers: Judy Da Silva, Ryan Duplassie, and Feiyue Wang
Date: November 27th
Time: 10:00 am – noon
Where: CEOS Theatre,545 Wallace Building, Fort Garry campus

,