Stop
the Poisoning and Drowning of Labrador’s Indigenous and non-Indigenous People at Muskrat Falls
Background
The Trudeau government has invested a
whopping $9.2 billion into the lethal Muskrat Falls megadam in Labrador, which
threatens an act of cultural genocide via methylmercury poisoning and the
subsequent destruction of Indigenous cultures that have existed since time
immemorial.
An additional threat is catastrophic dam
break. Mass casualty flash floods are a real possibility since a significant
portion of the dam reservoir is slated to be held back by a natural formation
known as the North Spur, composed of quick clay (sand that liquefies and moves
under pressure). No proper, independent engineering study has been performed to
confirm the stability of the North Spur.
Like any number of megaprojects, all
Indigenous people affected have not provided free, prior and informed consent
to be poisoned and drowned by this megadam. Non-Indigenous residents also face
similar threats from a project that could eventually cost as much as $78
billion and bankrupt the province.
Why
We’re Fasting
To continue raising awareness and building resistance
to the dangerous Muskrat Falls project, we will fast for one or more days
during the months between summer solstice and fall equinox in support of the
Labrador Land Protectors and all those living at risk downstream of the Muskrat
Falls megadam.
We fast because we recognize that if
Muskrat Falls goes online without any changes, the largely Indigenous
downstream population will be faced with either going hungry or eating a
country food web dangerously poisoned by the neurotoxin methylmercury.
We fast because we recognize the hungering
for justice of people who have never been properly consulted about a project
that threatens their lives.
We fast because we recognize that all of us
undertaking small sacrifices together can help awaken the sleeping conscience
of a country that has yet to take seriously the calls to action of the Truth
and Reconciliation Commission and the cornerstone principles of the United
Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
The fast will continue from June 21 to
September 22 with three demands:
1.
Immediate implementation of the
original recommendations from a major 2016 Harvard University study (seconded
by an Independent Experts Advisory Committee) for full clearance of brush,
trees, and topsoil, along with the capping of the wetlands, at the Muskrat
Falls reservoir to prevent the bioaccumulation of the neurotoxin methylmercury.
2.
Immediate appointment of an
independent inquiry into the instability of the North Spur, because no study
has proven that it is secure enough to prevent a catastrophic dam break and
mass drowning.
3.
The federal government,
provincial government, and Nalcor (the crown corporation behind the dam) must
halt all work on the dam until they have received the free, prior and informed
consent of all Indigenous peoples affected by the dam, as well as that of non-Indigenous
downstream residents.
How
to participate in the Chain Fast
Pick a day (or a series of days) to fast
throughout the summer season and email your name and town to tasc@web.ca) A list of open dates is at http://homesnotbombs.blogspot.com/2018/05/muskrat-falls-solidarity-chain-fast.html .
Fast according to your preferred tradition
(a full 24 hours, liquids only, sun up to sun down).
The fast is open to anyone (you can join even if you are not living in the land known as Canada)
On the day they fast we encourage you to:
a.
take a selfie with a simple
message (ie, #ShutMuskratDown, Stop Poisoning of Labrador, Respect Indigenous
Rights, etc) and share that image via social media, explaining why you are
fasting on that day
b.
Write an email to Prime
Minister Justin Trudeau, Environment Minister Catherine McKenna, Stolen
Resources Minister Jim Carr, and Colonial Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett
federally, as well as Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Dwight Ball and Nalcor
CEO Stan Marshall (the crown corporation behind the project), to explain why you
are fasting and reinforce the three demands listed above. Emails are: pm@pm.gc.ca, Catherine.McKenna@parl.gc.ca,
Jim.Carr@parl.gc.ca, carolyn.bennett@parl.gc.ca,
dwightball@gov.nl.ca, info@nalcorenergy.com, tasc@web.ca
c.
Write a letter to a local
newspaper about why they are fasting, and perhaps link your fast to land and
water protection struggles taking place in your territory.
d.
If you have the time, make a
sign and vigil for an hour or two in public at a federal building or MP’s
office to mark your fast and the reasons behind it (we can provide flyers to
hand out).
Thanks for your support!
The Ontario-Muskrat Solidarity Coalition
Dates and Names and Towns of Fasters
Thursday, June 21:
Friday, June 22: Graham Lettner, Black Diamond, Alberta
Saturday, June 23:
Sunday, June 24:
Monday, June 25:
Tuesday, June 26: Cym Gomery, Montreal
Wednesday, June 27: Hannah Miller Fortune, Newfoundland
Thursday, June 28:
Friday, June 29: Graham Lettner, Black Diamond, Alberta
Saturday, June 30:
Sunday, July 1: Liz Chisholm, Chilliwack, BC
Monday, July 2:
Tuesday, July 3: Maureen McGahey, Perth, ON
Wednesday, July 4:
Thursday, July 5:
Friday, July 6: Trycia Bazinet, Ottawa, Graham Lettner, Black Diamond, Alberta
Saturday, July 7:
Sunday, July 8:
Monday, July 9:
Tuesday, July 10:
Wednesday, July 11: krishna e bera, Algonquin Territory, Ottawa
Thursday, July 12:
Friday, July 13: Trycia Bazinet, Ottawa, Graham Lettner, Black Diamond, Alberta
Saturday, July 14:
Sunday, July 15:
Monday, July 16:
Tuesday, July 17:
Wednesday, July 18:
Thursday, July 19:
Friday, July 20: Trycia Bazinet, Ottawa, Graham Lettner, Black Diamond, Alberta
Saturday, July 21:
Sunday, July 22:
Monday, July 23:
Tuesday, July 24:
Wednesday, July 25:
Thursday, July 26:
Friday, July 27: Graham Lettner, Black Diamond, Alberta
Saturday, July 28:
Sunday, July 29:
Monday, July 30:
Tuesday, July 31:
Wednesday, August 1:
Thursday, August 2:
Friday, August 3: Graham Lettner, Black Diamond, Alberta
Saturday, August 4:
Sunday, August 5:
Monday, August 6:
Tuesday, August 7:
Wednesday, August 8:
Thursday, August 9: Denise Cole, Happy Valley-Goose Bay
Friday, August 10: Graham Lettner, Black Diamond, Alberta
Saturday, August 11:
Sunday, August 12:
Monday, August 13:
Tuesday, August 14:
Wednesday, August 15:
Thursday, August 16:
Friday, August 17: Graham Lettner, Black Diamond, Alberta
Saturday, August 18:
Sunday, August 19:
Monday, August 20:
Tuesday, August 21:
Wednesday, August 22:
Thursday, August 23:
Friday, August 24: Graham Lettner, Black Diamond, Alberta
Saturday, August 25:
Sunday, August 26:
Monday, August 27:
Tuesday, August 28:
Wednesday, August 29:
Thursday, August 30:
Friday, August 31: Graham Lettner, Black Diamond, Alberta
Saturday, Sept. 1:
Sunday, Sept. 2:
Monday, Sept. 3:
Tuesday, Sept. 4:
Wednesday, Sept. 5:
Thursday, Sept. 6:
Friday, Sept. 7: Graham Lettner, Black Diamond, Alberta
Saturday, Sept. 8:
Sunday, Sept. 9:
Monday, Sept. 10: Liza Holly Hancock, Woodville, Ontario
Tuesday, Sept. 11:
Wednesday, Sept. 12:
Thursday, Sept. 13:
Friday, Sept. 14: Graham Lettner, Black Diamond, Alberta
Saturday, Sept. 15:
Sunday, Sept. 16:
Monday, Sept. 17:
Tuesday, Sept. 18:
Wednesday, Sept. 19:
Thursday, Sept. 20:
Friday, Sept. 21: Linnéa Rowlatt, Ottawa, Graham Lettner, Black Diamond, Alberta
Saturday, Sept. 22:
