THUNDER BAY — First Nations leaders and community members gathered at Waverly Park on Saturday to oppose the transportation and storage of nuclear waste in northern Ontario, warning that proposed projects could pose long-term risks to waterways, communities, and traditional territories across the region.
The rally, organised under the banner Nuclear Waste Free Anishinaabe Aki, brought together participants from Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Anishinabek (Grassy Narrows) First Nation, Wabaseemoong Independent Nations, Fort William First Nation, and other Treaty 3 communities.
For participants, the message centred on the risks of transporting nuclear waste through northern Ontario and its potential impacts on waterways and traditional lands.
“It’s really important right in Thunder Bay because this is where it’s going to be transported through,” said Chrissy Isaacs of Grassy Narrows First Nation. “This poison is coming, and it’s going to be transported through their territories.”
Isaacs said the rally was meant to raise awareness along the transportation corridor.
“If something bad happens, it’s going to seep into the rivers and the lakes,” she said.
For Grassy Narrows, concerns over nuclear waste are tied to the lasting impacts of mercury contamination in the region.
“Over 50 years ago, the Dryden mill dumped 10 tons of mercury into the Wabigoon River,” Isaacs said. “Our people were river people. We lived off the fish.”
She said the loss of safe fishing continues to affect the community across generations.
“Our babies in the 70s and 80s were born with mercury in their bodies,” she said. “Mercury poisoning is passed down.”
Isaacs said pollution in the river system remains ongoing.
“The Dryden paper mill is still up and running and still dumping into the river,” she said.
She criticised government responses to the crisis, saying communities have spent decades calling for action.
“They have the power to shut that mill down,” Isaacs said. “They have the power to clean the river.”
Isaacs also referenced frustration over political responses.
“I was outside a press conference with Doug Ford and Mark Carney,” she said. “Their response was, ‘I can outlast her,’ and they laughed.”
Isaacs called the situation unacceptable, given ongoing health impacts in Grassy Narrows.
“Our babies are being born poisoned,” she said. “That is genocide.”
She warned that proposed nuclear waste transport routes would place multiple communities at risk.
“It’s not 100 per cent safe,” she said. “If there’s a leak, Grassy Narrows and White Dog are done for.”
Chief Roland Fisher of Wabaseemoong Independent Nations said communities remain concerned about consultation and decision-making around nuclear waste projects.
“They’re gathered here today for a rally, say no to nuclear waste in their area,” Fisher said.
He said downstream communities were not properly consulted.
“Our community wasn’t consulted,” he said. “And we’re downriver, same as Grassy.”
He also raised concerns about transporting nuclear waste.
“Highway 17 is the worst stretch of highway between Kenora and Dryden,” Fisher said. “There’s accidents every day.”
He questioned safety assurances from nuclear authorities.
“They did drop tests, incinerator tests, simulations,” he said. “But they weren’t real-time. I don’t buy that at all.”
He warned that any failure in transport would affect downstream communities.
“It’ll leak given time. We’re downriver,” he said.
The concerns were echoed by Jeffrey Copenace, elected Chief of the Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation, who said opposition must remain united across Treaty 3.
Copenace described walking out of a Nuclear Waste Management Organization meeting, saying discussions lacked transparency.
“I begged them not to sign this agreement,” he said. “I told them this is going to come back and we’re all going to pay for it.”
He called for continued resistance through legal action and public advocacy.
“We need more action. More voices standing with us,” he said.
Copenace ended by describing a future focused on environmental protection and cultural continuity.
“I want you to picture a future where the waters are still fresh,” he said. “Where we’re not fighting, we’re just taking care of each other.”
The rally ended with a water ceremony at Waverly Park, followed by a march down Red River Road to the Spirit Garden where the ceremony continued.
