Photo: WatawayNews.caAvant de prendre sa retraite, le spécialiste japonais Docteur Masazumi Harada est retourné voir les tribus des Premières Nations de Grassy Narrows et Whitedog, en Ontario. Il étudie ses membres contaminés au mercure depuis les années '70: il n'a pas eu le temps d'examiner tout le monde, et aimerait bien que les gouvernements prennent leur responsabilité au sérieux et le fassent, mais il maintient que 60% à 80% de la population indigène est contaminée au mercure, probablement à cause du poisson dont ils se nourissent. Il admet que la concentration de mercure dans l'eau est à la baisse, mais il ignore quand l'eau sera sans danger.
Un membre de la tribu, Judy Da Silva dit: "Les papetières et la foresterie doivent cesser de détruire nos forêts, notre eau et notre culture, pour le grand bien de tous les humains. Les forêts et les eaux de Grassy Narrows doivent être placés sous la protection de notre peuple pour que nous puissions nous remettre et guérir ce que nous avons perdu pour nos enfants."
Photo: Wabigoon River in flickr.com"Mercury fury
Japanese doctor, and world-renowned mercury poisoning specialist Dr. Masazumi Harada made a final presentation about mercury poisoning in Grassy Narrows and Whitedog First Nations at the Lakeside Inn in Kenora March 27.
Dr. Harada has been studying mercury poisoning and the effects it has had on the people in both Grassy Narrows and Whitedog since the 1970s. Harada is retiring this year, but he made one last trip to both communities to do further mercury testing March 25 and 26 in Grassy Narrows and March 28 and 29 in Whitedog. He also presented his report, the Long-term Study on the Effects of Mercury Contamination on Two Indigenous Communities in Canada. Harada’s report concludes that both communities have been effected by mercury contamination and poisoning from the river systems surrounding the communities.
“I haven’t had a chance to examine all the residents, but from the residents that I have examined, 60 to 80 per cent of them have shown signs of mercury contamination,” Harada said through his translator. The contamination levels in the water are decreasing, Harada said, but it is unknown when the water will be safe again. His report said that because the mercury levels in the water are lower now, no new cases of mercury contamination should be expected as long as people don’t eat the fish.“But, people still continue to eat the fish here,” Harada said. “So, it is hard to tell when the communities will recover from the effects of the mercury poisoning of the river systems.”
Harada hopes his study will inspire people to advocate to their government to fully examine the situation of mercury contamination and have the results of the examinations reflected in their government’s policies and politics. Also, he hopes the study will create solidarity and cooperation among communities that have been affected by mercury contamination on a worldwide level.
Judy Da Silva, a Grassy Narrows band member, said things need to be made right with the community regarding the mercury poisoning, including continued protection from resource development. “We must stop the mills from destroying our forests, our water, and our culture for the survival of all people,” Da Silva said. “The forests and waters of Grassy Narrows must be placed under the protection of our own people so that we can heal and recover what we have lost for our children.”"
Excerpts from article published in the Wawatay News on line here:
http://www.wawataynews.ca/archive/all/2010/4/15/Mercury-fury_19647
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