READING 2.1 REFLECTION
The central premise of the reading
In her article, “Grassy Narrows First Nation Not Victims” Leanne Betasamosake Simpson communicates the message that the people of Grassy Narrows First Nation have been fighting against the dispossession and destruction of their homeland. Leanne says that the people of Grassy Narrows have endured several evils like pollution of their land, their children being taken away to residential schools, restriction of their movement in the reserves, and being denied the right to hire lawyers and organize politically. The people of Grassy Narrows have fought the dispossession of their land by conducting scientific studies, developing long-lasting relationships, and participating in federal and provincial processes meant to address these issues.
Authors supporting argument for the central premise
Leanne’s central premise is that the people of Grassy Narrows First Nation have been fighting against the dispossession and destruction of their land. The author mentions that the people of Grassy Narrows have been corralled in reserve systems, their children are taken away from them and enrolled in residential schools, and their land has been polluted by mercury. Their hunting grounds, ceremony spots, and trap lines are being clear-cut and their rivers polluted by pulp-mill effluent. However, despite this victimization, the people of Grassy Narrows have opposed and fought tirelessly to secure their homeland.
Members of the Grassy Narrows First Nation have tried fighting the pollution of their land and water by mercury and pesticides through hosting renowned scientists and doctors with expertise about mercury poisoning. Several activists, academics, and allies have been hosted for countless times at community gatherings to educate people about the injustices on them. Grassy Narrows people have also presented at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and developed long-term alliances with activists and allies globally. Several health surveys and scientific studies to document heavy metals and dioxins in their meat and fish. Members of Grassy Narrows have also organized and maintained logging blockades to protest against clear-cutting of their ceremonial spots and hunting grounds.
Grassy Narrows have also signed treaties like the Treaty 3 so as to protect their determination as a state. The treaty was signed by their ancestors to ensure that coming generations could not be harassed and dispossessed their homeland. In the treaty, they also intent to accommodate Canadian interests, establish a political relationship, and forge a mutually beneficial relationship build on the foundation of respect. Leanne says that the Grassy Narrows’ Anishinaabeg way of life is harmless to Canada and that their fascinating way of life is key to their sustainable future.
The significance of the reading to the unit’s overall learning objectives.
Leanne B. Simpson’s article, “Grassy Narrows First Nation Not Victims”, is significant in Environmental Issues unit’s overall learning objectives in that; it mentions crucial environmental issues like pollution. As mentioned in the article, the people of Grassy Narrows First Nation have endured years of pollution of their land with mercury, contamination of their rivers with pesticides and pulp-mill effluent. Grassy Narrows’ hunting grounds, trap-lines, and ceremonial spots have been clear-cut severally, a practice that is severely harming the ecosystem. Such issues are critical in this unit because they help students understand the environmental issues in real-life situations and how the ecosystem is affected.
The article also displays how some human activities impact the environment. As Leanne says, a paper mill in Dryden dumped twenty thousand pounds of mercury into English-Wabigoon River in 1960s and 1970s. Grassy Narrows is also polluted by pesticides which are sprayed on new tree plantations after clear-cuts. Such pollutions have caused health implications on the people and the entire ecosystem. Understanding how human activities cause pollution and how that pollution harms the ecosystem is crucial in the Environmental Issues unit.
Personal reflection on the reading
I find Lean Betasamosake Simpson’s article, “Grassy Narrows First Nation Not Victims” fascinating and informative. The author highlights some critical environmental issues affecting the people of Grassy Narrows First Nation like pollution. As mentioned earlier, Grassy Narrows has faced several instances of environmental pollution, which have left the ecosystem severely harmed. Such issues capture my attention and concern because am a staunch believer in environmental conservation. Leanne’s article highlights some issues which the society has ignored deliberately. I feel that issues like these affecting the people of Grassy Narrows should be given the first priority by the government.
Leanne also highlights some social and human rights issues affecting Grassy Narrows. The people of Grassy Narrows have been corralled into reserve system, their kids have been taken away to residential schools, they have been denied the rights to hire advocates, and their civil right to political organization has also been sabotaged. Grassy Narrows has also been deliberately polluted and deprived of their right to a clean environment. Such issues raises concerns about the universal entitlement of basic human rights. The society needs to be highlighted on such social issues which threaten the rights of the people of Grassy Narrow First Nation.
Reference
Leanne Betasamosake Simpson. (2014). “Grassy Narrows First Nation ‘not victims,’ Says Advocate”, CBC News, July 31, 2014