[opirgyork] River Run 2012 Starts TODAY!

[aruna at opirgyork.ca]

River Run 2012
Take action with Grassy Narrows Asubpeeschoseewagong Anishinabek

http://www.facebook.com/events/198094780296146/
www.freegrassy.org
Twitter: #GrassyRiverRun

Join us & continue a tradition of community lead action for justice—for
our people, and for the protection of the water, air, and forests that
give life to us all.

Tuesday June 5
SPEAKING EVENT WITH JUDY DA SILVA,  DR. HANADA, JOANNE WEBB, AND LEE MARACLE
6:30pm Steel Worker's Hall (25 Cecil Street)

Dr. Hanada, an expert in mercury toxicity, will be discussing a newly
released study on mercury in Grassy Narrows. He has also studied mercury
poisoning in Minimata, Japan, extensively. Judy da Silva, who lives in
Grassy Narrows, has travelled the globe to raise awareness of the effects
of mercury and clear-cut logging on her home. For the past ten years, she
has been involved in blockading logging roads into Grassy Narrows
territory.

The speaking panel will be preceded by a BBQ at Grange Park from 4pm to
6pm welcome the Makade Makwa Water Walkers, a group of Grassy Narrows
youth who have walked 2000kms to Toronto for River Run 2012. Full details:
https://www.facebook.com/events/245431442225109/

Wednesday June 6
FISH FRY WITH CELEBRITY CHEF
Noon - Queen's Park South Lawn

Grassy Narrows Asubpeeschoseewagong (GNAA) invites Premier Dalton McGuinty
& Co. to a Fish Fry at Queen’s Park. Will Premier McGuinty join members of
GNAA for lunch at the Chef’s Table? This meal endorsed by Jamie Kennedy,
one of Toronto's top chefs, includes mercury tainted fish fresh from GNAA
traditional territories.

Friday June 8th
RIVER RUN RALLY 2012
12pm Grange Park

For more information, if you'd like to donate, or get involved you can
contact 2012riverun at gmail.com
You can donate directly to the River Run 2012 online at the Small Change
Fund: http://smallchangefund.org/projects/river-run-2012/

In April 2010, we marched together as one wild river flowing onto the
steps of Queen’s Park to deliver our demands on World Health Day. We ask
that you join us again this year to make clear to those at Queen’s Park
that we’re as strong as ever, and will continue to demand justice for our
people and protection for our environment.

Over 40 years ago our people were poisoned by mercury from a paper mill
that contaminated our river upstream. Our people are demanding justice
because we are still dealing with the ongoing health impacts of this
avoidable disaster. It’s an inescapable truth that this poison will affect
everyone if we don’t stand together to protect our water.

For decades the GNAA community members have been on the front lines of the
movement to defend the earth and to uphold Indigenous self-determination,
culture and spirituality. We have kicked out logging giant Abitibi for
now, but there is still much work to be done.

Joining in River Run 2012 is a great opportunity to show your support and
to join us in the fight to protect Indigenous rights and the water, air,
land, and creatures that we all depend on.