EXPERIENCES CANADA
Anti-Racism Conversations
Environmental racism
Overview
Environmental Racism
Activity : Collaborative Research
According to the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, environmental racism is:
“A systemic form of racism in which toxic wastes are introduced into or near marginalized communities. People of colour, indigenous peoples, working class, and poor communities suffer disproportionately from environmental hazards and the location of dangerous, toxic facilities such as incinerators and toxic waste dumps. Pollution of lands, air and waterways, often causes chronic illness to the inhabitants and change in their lifestyle.”
Can you think of any examples of environmental racism in action?
What is environmental racism
land - examples of environmental racism
Africville
The community of Africville, Nova Scotia dates back to 1761 - it was made up of freed slaves, Maroons and Black refugees from the War of 1812.
The residents paid taxes to the city of Halifax, but the city did not provide services such as paved roads, running water or sewers.
In fact, the city placed undesirable services there: a fertilizer plant, slaughterhouses, a prison, a human waste pit, an infectious diseases hospital, and a dump, which raises many health concerns to this day.
Water - examples of environmental racism
In 1962, Dryden Chemicals Ltd. began operating a plant in Dryden, ON to manufacture chlorine. Between 1962 and 1970, the company dumped an estimated 9,000 kg of untreated mercury into the English-Wabigoon river system, upstream from Grassy Narrows and Whitedog First Nations.
The province banned commercial fishing in the river in 1970 because the fish had extremely high levels of mercury. This devastated Grassy Narrows, as fishing was their main source of income, and though they stopped selling their fish, some continued to eat fish from the river because it was a large part of their diet.
A 2016 report found that over 90% of residents in Grassy Narrows and Whitedog First Nations have symptoms of mercury poisoning (speech, sight and hearing impairments, convulsions, and loss of balance). Some studies have even found that people with long-term mercury exposure are far more likely to die early.
In 2017, the Ontario government committed to building a medical treatment centre, and in 2020, the federal government signed a contract to build a Mercury Care Home.
In July 2010, the United Nations declared water and sanitation human rights, as they are essential to the realization of all other rights.
As of October 2020, there are 61 long-term drinking water advisories and 42 short-term advisories in First Nations across Canada, affecting tens of thousands of people.
Some, like Shoal Lake No. 40 and Neskantaga First Nations, have been under boil water advisories for more than 20 years. The members Neskantaga report itchy skin, rashes, styes, and other skin conditions due to having to bathe in low-quality water.
Some cannot use tap water for any reason, due to contaminants in the water which cannot be removed.
Air - examples of environmental racism
“Chemical Valley” near Sarnia, ON is home to industrial facilities that account for around 40% of Canada’s petrochemical industry. The approximately 800 residents of neighbouring Aamjiwnaang First Nation breathe some of the most polluted air in all of Canada. This pollution poses serious risks to the health of the community, and causes stress and anxiety.
There is also a link between socioeconomic status, race, and proximity to polluting industries. People with more money tend to buy more expensive homes away from environmental hazards. Racialized families, who are more likely to live in poverty than white families, therefore are more likely to live in environmentally hazardous neighbourhoods
Impacts of environmental racism
Attawapiskat is another community that does not have access to safe water. In July 2019, they declared a state of emergency after they were informed that their water had dangerous levels of toxins in their water. This meant they had to refrain from taking long showers or washing food. It is even recommended that they ventilate rooms where water is running.
Prolonged exposure to the toxins found can cause skin irritation and could increase the risk of cancer.
The community has never actually had access to safe drinking water. In 2016, they had declared another state of emergency due to a string of attempted suicides among youth. Poor water supply was a contributing factor in the suicide crisis, along with intergenerational trauma, poor housing, lack of employment opportunities, and lack of mental health resources.
Impacts of environmental racism continued
The residents of Chemical Valley report increased rates of asthma, reproductive effects, learning disabilities, and cancer.
The members of Aamjiwnaang First Nation are also losing access to traditional food sources. The pollution in the air also seeps into food and impacts their ability to hunt, fish, or plant food safely.
It also seeps into language and culture. Because the pollution has caused the affected food sources and Elders with knowledge of the language, the residents have lost traditional words. They also don’t have traditional words for pollution and its effects, so they find it difficult to describe their world in their native language.
Indigenous people on the frontlines
Despite being only 5% of the world’s population, Indigenous peoples protect 80% of its biodiversity.
The effects of climate change disproportionately affect BIPOC communities.
Indigenous peoples are the first to feel the effects of climate change and are the most affected by it, even though they contribute the least to it.
Brainstorm: Why might this be?
The high vulnerability of Indigenous peoples in terms of climate change relates to their reliance upon resource-based livelihoods and the locations of their lands and territories.
Many Indigenous peoples, especially Inuit living in the Arctic, live where the impacts of climate change are likely to be greatest, and they depend largely on the natural environment for their livelihoods and way of life.
Many of the drivers of climate change — including oil, gas, mining and deforestation — have already destroyed Indigenous lands.
1492 Landback lane (ongoing)
Mi’kmaq fishers (ongoing)
Oka crisis (1990)
Algonquin moose moratorium (ongoing)
Wet'suwet'en Demonstrations (Feb. 2020)
defenders
Autumn Peltier
Defenders
Kanahus Manuel
“We stand resolutely together against any and all threats to our lands, the wildlife and the waterways”
Defenders
Freda Huson
“We’re not a protest camp. This is our home.”
activity
Collaborative Research