#wabigoon

On the 28th of April, I will take a plane to Winnipeg, Canada. In the two weeks after that, I will try to gather as much information about the condition of the Anishinaabek in Grassy Narrows as I can, at the request of the local band. I will pay special attention to the ways that non-native allies can support First Nations' rights to self-determination and dignity. I will share their perspectives with you on this page, by holding presentations in the Netherlands, and through a webinar that will be accessible to everyone around the world.

For those of you who do not know, Canadian First Nations are experiencing a number of oppressions at the hands of settlers. Yes, present tense. The residential school system, which kidnapped Indigenous children and subjected them to an abusive and lethal environment in order to forcibly assimilate them, may have been officially dismantled for decades, but the survivors have not gotten the recognition and justice they deserve, nor are Canadian First Nations safe from harm now.

Particularly pressing is the problem that 80% of all Anishinaabek in Grassy narrows suffer from mercury poisoning due to pollution of the Wabigoon river, causing various permanent paralytic symptoms, including palsy, coma and death. Large scale logging of the area has recently resumed, resulting in soil erosion causing mercury levels in the river to rise again. While those most affected by the pollution and logging receive paltry compensation for the loss of their homeland, their cultural autonomy and their health, those responsible are some of the largest corporations in the world. I aim to ask the locals what they need from their allies.

Recently, I used the donations my supporters so graciously provided to buy a two-way plane ticket from Amsterdam to Winnipeg, costing 930 euros. To finance my stay in Grassy Narrows, I will need an additional 175 euros (The total cost of staying for ten days will be 458 euros, and I have 283 left after paying for the tickets). I will have to pay 14 dollars for a temporary visa to the United States, because I will be transfering to my flight in an American Airport. Any money left over will be transfered to Christian Peacemaker Teams, the organisers of the delegation I will be joining. They are committed to pacifist resistance against oppression all over the world. Tomorrow is my twenty-eighth birthday. I can think of no better gift than your continued support for my journey. If you would like to contribute, please donate to IBAN account number NL 44 TRIO 0197 7048 40. The account is in my name. The BIC for international transfers is TRIONL2U. Any contribution is appreciated!

Love,

Tim de Visser