Elders say ‘enough is enough’ to chemical spraying
By Leslie Knibbs
MISSISSAUGA #8 FIRST NATION – North Shore Elders who are standing up in battle to prevent violent acts against the environment say “enough is enough already”.
They are referring to the 30 year-old of aerial spraying program of nearby forests with chemicals –chemicals banned by Health Canada for use in gardens and lawns yet still used by the forestry industry to proliferate profit. The chemical Glyphosate has one purpose: it is designed to kill according to Physicians for the Environment.
Raymond Owl, from Sagamok First Nation, along with Willie Pine, Mississaugi First Nation met on Aug. 19 with a group of Elders, youth and other concerned citizens from the north shore of Lake Huron at Mississaugi First Nation to discuss and resolve what to do about the aerial spraying of forest in the region.
Elders expressed concerns that they used to go to harvest traditional medicines and now there is nothing left to pick.
“As humans we depend on the waters, air, plants, animals, birds, insects and medicines for survival.,” said Owl. “It is what sustains life – it is all inter-connected. It is the Creator’s plan for us to live in harmony with these elements and to benefit from a long, healthy life when we respect and honour what is given to us.”
Owl says they are not prepared to sit by and allow the spraying of forest to continue.
“Aerial spraying is our common enemy,” said Owl who says that the product “Roundup” or Glyphosate used in the spraying is a cousin to Agent Orange. Agent Orange was a chemical used in Vietnam which resulted in adverse health effects for American forces and Viet Cong alike.
In an Aug. 20 CBC interview in response to Raymond Owl and the Elders’ concerns, Toronto doctor and Director of Physicians for the Environment, Gideon Foreman, Director of Physicians stated his group also has serious concerns about aerial spraying.
He said it is banned for lawn and garden use since it is designed to kill beneficial insects such as lady bugs, earth worms, frogs and other amphibians. Foreman also said that the Federal Government regulates what chemicals are used and any research in determining whether or not a chemical agent is used is provided by the users of the product to Health Canada.
Gideon agreed with the Elders’ saying that his group agrees that it shouldn’t be used and he believes that the forestry industry can continue without these products and find other ways.
Representatives from municipalities in the north shore area attending the meeting were unanimous in supporting the Elders resolution of a request to the province to begin a moratorium for Glyphosate.
According to Health Canada, Glyphosate will be re-evaluated to determine the safety of its use and will come to a decision in late 2014. In the meantime, Elders from the north shore of Lake Huron are hedging their bets by making their voices heard in addressing the dangerous impact of aerial spraying on the environment.
Chief Seathl, one of the most revered First Nation chiefs, with his great and noble soul, faithfully mirrored the thoughts, dreams and aspirations of Elders from the North Shore in his poem penned in 1852:
This we know.
The Earth does not belong to man:
Man belongs to the earth.
This we know.
All things are connected
Like the blood which unites one family.
All things are connected.
Whatever befalls the earth
Befalls the son of the earth.
Man did not weave the web of life.
He is merely a strand of it.
Whatever he does to the web,
He does to himself.