Media Advisory: Aamjiwnaang to host press conference and rally at Queen’s Park calling for action on toxic pollution, Nov. 7
Toronto, Ont./ Traditional territories of several First Nations including the Williams Treaties First Nations, Huron-Wendat, the Anishnaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Chippewas, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation — Aamjiwnaang First Nation will host a press conference and rally at Queen’s Park on Thursday, November 7, 2024, calling on the Ontario government to take urgent action to address the toxic pollution crisis in the community.
Aamjiwnaang, an Anishinabe community near Sarnia, Ontario, has endured more than a century of environmental racism, as industrial pollution has turned their land into one of Canada’s most polluted areas, known as Chemical Valley.
For decades, both Ontario and Canadian governments have neglected to address the severe impact of pollution on Aamjiwnaang, often sidestepping responsibility by claiming the issue falls outside of their respective jurisdictions.
Aamjiwnaang asserts their right to make decisions about the health, land, and well-being of their people, with free, prior, and informed consent. Aamjiwnaang is calling on the Ontario government to take concrete steps, in collaboration, to address the industrial harms threatening the health, culture, environment, and rights of the community.
Press Conference –
Thursday, November 7, 9:30AM ET
Who is speaking: Aamjiwnaang Chief, Elected Councilors, and community members to give remarks. Full media availability for questions to follow.
Where: Queen’s Park Media Studio, Ontario Legislature
111 Wellesley Street West, Toronto (Map)
How: In person attendance or virtual. Seating and risers are available for cameras on site. When you arrive, enter through the visitor’s entrance at the front of the building, at which point you’ll have to go through security and provide ID. The media studio is on the first floor (one floor up from the visitors entrance).
The press conference will be streamed live via the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.
Additional: Aamjiwnaang spokespeople and community members available for short one-on-one interviews at Queen’s Park post-press conference.
Justice for Aamjiwnaang Emergency Rally –
Thursday, November 7, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM ET
Who is speaking: Aamjiwnaang community members to share firsthand experiences of impacts of industrial pollution in their community.
Where: Demonstration area at Queen’s Park, Toronto, ON M7A 1A2 (Map)
How: In-person attendance.
About
Aamjiwnaang First Nation (formally known as Chippewas of Sarnia) is a First Nations community of about 2500 Chippewa (Ojibwe) Aboriginal peoples (900 of which live on Reserve). We are located on the St. Clair River, 3 miles south of the southern tip of Lake Huron in the city limits of Sarnia southwestern Ontario, Canada – just across the United States border from Port Huron, Michigan. Our heritage language is Ojibwa. The name Aamjiwnaang means “at the spawning stream.”
