Join the Muskrat Falls Solidarity Chain Fast, June 21 to September 22, 2018

 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:Tracey Sikoak Doherty, Happy Valley - Goose Bay

Friday, June 22: Graham Lettner, Black Diamond, Alberta

Saturday, June 23: Jim Learning, Happy Valley Goose Bay

Sunday, June 24: Matthew Behrens, Perth, ON, Sharon Ponniuk Gear, Labrador

Monday, June 25: Murray Lumley, Toronto, ON

Tuesday, June 26: Cym Gomery, Montreal

Wednesday, June 27: Hannah Miller, Fortune, Newfoundland; Ottawa Raging Grannies

Thursday, June 28: Roberta Frampton Benefiel, Happy Valley-Goose Bay; Holly Wells and Jaryl Altomare, Effort, Pennsylvania

Friday, June 29: Graham Lettner, Black Diamond, Alberta

Saturday, June 30: Dianne Climenhage Happy Valley Goose Bay, Matthew Della Valle, St. John's, NL

Sunday, July 1: Liz Chisholm, Chilliwack, BC; King Kimbit, Ottawa

Monday, July 2: Murray Lumley, Toronto, ON

Tuesday, July 3: Maureen McGahey, Perth, ON

Wednesday, July 4: Andrew Jehan and Elizabeth Wickwire, Toronto

Thursday, July 5: Roberta Frampton Benefiel, Happy Valley-Goose Bay; Holly Wells and Jaryl Altomare, Effort, Pennsylvania

Friday, July 6: Trycia Bazinet, Ottawa, Graham Lettner, Black Diamond, Alberta

Saturday, July 7: Sandra Streifel, Vancouver, BC

Sunday, July 8:Sunshine Messina, Lac Megantic, QC

Monday, July 9: Murray Lumley, Toronto, ON

Tuesday, July 10: Jan Morrison,  North West River,  NL

Wednesday, July 11: krishna e bera, Algonquin Territory, Ottawa

Thursday, July 12: Roberta Frampton Benefiel, Happy Valley-Goose Bay; Holly Wells and Jaryl Altomare, Effort, Pennsylvania

Friday, July 13: Trycia Bazinet, Ottawa, Graham Lettner, Black Diamond, Alberta

Saturday, July 14: Peggy Skinner, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL; Angus Andersen, St. John's, NL

Sunday, July 15: Eldred Davis, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador

Monday, July 16: Murray Lumley, Toronto, ON

Tuesday, July 17: Marjorie May Flowers, Happy Valley-Goose Bay

Wednesday, July 18: Emma Hebb, Halifax, NS; Members of Solidarity Halifax; Llewelyn Pritchard, UK, Angela Giles, Halifax; Chris White, Halifax

Thursday, July 19: Dorene Bernard and grassroots grandmothers at Treaty Truck House camp, Shubenacadie River, NS; Roberta Frampton Benefiel, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Tamara Lorincz; Holly Wells and Jaryl Altomare, Effort, Pennsylvania; Mary Cowper-Smith, Charlottetown, PEI

Friday, July 20: Trycia Bazinet, Ottawa, Graham Lettner, Black Diamond, Alberta

Saturday, July 21: Peggy Skinner, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL

Sunday, July 22: Eldred Davis, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador

Monday, July 23: Murray Lumley, Toronto, O; King Kimbit, Ottawa

Tuesday, July 24: Tracey Sikoak Doherty, Happy Valley - Goose Bay; King Kimbit, Ottawa

Wednesday, July 25:Peggy Saunders- Blake, Happy Valley - Goose Bay; King Kimbit, Ottawa

Thursday, July 26: Roberta Frampton Benefiel, Happy Valley-Goose Bay; Holly Wells and Jaryl Altomare, Effort, Pennsylvania

Friday, July 27: Graham Lettner, Black Diamond, Alberta, Ria Heynen, Ottawa

Saturday, July 28: Peggy Skinner, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL; King Kimbit, Ottawa

Sunday, July 29: King Kimbit, Ottawa

Monday, July 30: Murray Lumley, Toronto, ON; King Kimbit, Ottawa

Tuesday, July 31: Sunshine Messina, Lac Megantic, QC; King Kimbit, Ottawa

Wednesday, August 1: Jozef Konyari, Toronto, ON; King Kimbit, Ottawa; Deb Cowen, Toronto; Aytak Dibavar, Hamilton; Anna Dion, Ottawa

Thursday, August 2: Roberta Frampton Benefiel, Happy Valley-Goose Bay; Holly Wells and Jaryl Altomare, Effort, Pennsylvania; King Kimbit, Ottawa

Friday, August 3: Graham Lettner, Black Diamond, Alberta; King Kimbit, Ottawa
Saturday, August 4: Peggy Skinner, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL; King Kimbit, Ottawa

Sunday, August 5: mandy hiscocks, Guelph, ON; King Kimbit, Ottawa

Monday, August 6: Murray Lumley, Toronto, ON; King Kimbit, Ottawa

Tuesday, August 7: Sandra Streifel, Vancouver, BC; King Kimbit, Ottawa; Sylvia Moore, Happy Valley-Goose Bay

Wednesday, August 8: King Kimbit, Ottawa

Thursday, August 9: Denise Cole, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Roberta Frampton Benefiel, Happy Valley-Goose Bay,  King Kimbit, Ottawa; Holly Wells and Jaryl Altomare, Effort, Pennsylvania

Friday, August 10: Graham Lettner, Black Diamond, Alberta; King Kimbit, Ottawa

Saturday, August 11: Tracey Sikoak Doherty, Happy Valley - Goose Bay, Ria Heynen, Ottawa,
King Kimbit, Ottawa

Sunday, August 12: mandy hiscocks, Guelph, ON, King Kimbit, Ottawa

Monday, August 13: Murray Lumley, Toronto, ON, King Kimbit, Ottawa

Tuesday, August 14: King Kimbit, Ottawa

Wednesday, August 15: Ria Heynen, Ottawa, King Kimbit, Ottawa
 Thursday, August 16: Roberta Frampton Benefiel, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Tamara Lorincz, Waterloo, ON; King Kimbit, Ottawa; Holly Wells and Jaryl Altomare, Effort, Pennsylvania

Friday, August 17: Graham Lettner, Black Diamond, Alberta; King Kimbit, Ottawa; Marjorie Flowers, Happy Valley Goose Bay, NL

Saturday, August 18: Peggy Skinner, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL; King Kimbit, Ottawa

Sunday, August 19: mandy hiscocks, Guelph, ON, King Kimbit, Ottawa

Monday, August 20: Murray Lumley, Toronto, ON; King Kimbit, Ottawa

Tuesday, August 21: Cym Gomery, Montreal

Wednesday, August 22: Angela Giles, Halifax

Thursday, August 23: Roberta Frampton Benefiel, Happy Valley-Goose Bay; Holly Wells and Jaryl Altomare, Effort, Pennsylvania

Friday, August 24: Graham Lettner, Black Diamond, Alberta

Saturday, August 25: Peggy Skinner, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL

Sunday, August 26: mandy hiscocks, Guelph, ON

Monday, August 27: Murray Lumley, Toronto, ON

Tuesday, August 28: Randal Hadland, Dawson Creek, BC

Wednesday, August 29:Ashley Grenstone, Ottawa, ON

Thursday, August 30: Roberta Frampton Benefiel, Happy Valley-Goose Bay; Holly Wells and Jaryl Altomare, Effort, Pennsylvania

Friday, August 31: Graham Lettner, Black Diamond, Alberta

Saturday, Sept. 1: Peggy Skinner, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL

Sunday, Sept. 2: Paul Bonnici, Aubrey Lauersdorf, Julia Longo, Stephen Pedroza, and Jennifer Standish (Members of the Workers Union at UNC, UE Local 150), Chapel Hill, NC

Monday, Sept. 3: Murray Lumley, Toronto, ON

Tuesday, Sept. 4: Sarah Budgell, Halifax, NS

Wednesday, Sept. 5:Bonita Ford, Algonquin Territory, Perth, ON

Thursday, Sept. 6: Roberta Frampton Benefiel, Happy Valley-Goose Bay; Holly Wells and Jaryl Altomare, Effort, Pennsylvania

Friday, Sept. 7: Rabea Murtaza, Toronto, ON; Graham Lettner, Black Diamond, Alberta

Saturday, Sept. 8: Peggy Skinner, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL; Trycia Bazinet, Ottawa, ON
 Sunday, Sept. 9: Katie Kinnear, Montreal; Matthew Della Valle, St. John's, NL;
Eldred Davis, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL

Monday, Sept. 10: Liza Holly Hancock, Woodville, Ontario,
Murray Lumley, Toronto, Deborah Ellis, Simcoe, ON

Tuesday, Sept. 11: Eric Andersen Jr., Makkovik, Labrador

Wednesday, Sept. 12:Arianne DiNardo, Toronto, Ontario

Thursday, Sept. 13: Roberta Frampton Benefiel, Happy Valley-Goose Bay; Holly Wells and Jaryl Altomare, Effort, Pennsylvania

Friday, Sept. 14: Graham Lettner, Black Diamond, Alberta

Saturday, Sept. 15:  Peggy Skinner, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL

Sunday, Sept. 16: Sara Langer-Smith,  Kingston, ON; Eldred Davis, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL

Monday, Sept. 17: Murray Lumley, Toronto, ON

Tuesday, Sept. 18: Marcus Langer-Smith, Pasadena, NL

Wednesday, Sept. 19: Angela Giles, Halifax

Thursday, Sept. 20: Roberta Frampton Benefiel, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Brian Burch, Toronto; Holly Wells and Jaryl Altomare, Effort, Pennsylvania

Friday, Sept. 21: Linnéa Rowlatt, Ottawa, Graham Lettner, Black Diamond, Alberta; Brian Burch, Toronto

Saturday, Sept. 22: Peggy Skinner, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL; Bre Quantrill, St. John's, NL