Health in Grassy Narrows ‘significantly worse’ than other First Nations: report
TORONTO — The physical and mental health of people living in Grassy Narrows is “significantly worse” than other First Nations since mercury was dumped into a river system near the northern Ontario reserve half a century ago, a new health survey suggests.
The community commissioned the survey to examine the fallout of eating fish caught from nearby waterways contaminated by mercury. It found that there are fewer elders in the community, which the report suggests means that people are dying there prematurely.
“The results provide clear evidence that the physical and mental health of (Grassy Narrows community) members is poorer than that of other First Nation communities in Canada and Ontario,” said the report. The health and well-being of the community “cannot be understood without taking into account their history of mercury poisoning and its consequences,” it said.
It also found that 33 per cent of residents have lost a close friend or family member to suicide, which is five times the rate documented in other Ontario First Nations. Twenty eight per cent had attempted suicide — more than double the rate of other First Nations.