“It’s a big concern not only to be downstream, but also to be downwind, and we’re talking about increased health impacts,” said Andy Ricard, chief, of Garden River First Nation’s proximity to Algoma Steel.
Garden River First Nation is monitoring possible impacts on local wildlife and its residents using the St. Mary’s River after an oil spill upstream in Sault Ste. Marie on Thursday.
Asked by phone on Thursday, Chief Andy Ricard said the Garden River environmental team was closely monitoring the situation as oil from the spill was seen drifting down the St. Mary’s River.
The team was proactive and traveled to Sault Ste. Marie would start watching him soon after the spill, Ricard said.
The St. Mary’s River flows right through the Garden River First Nation and is home to countless species of wildlife, he noted.
On Thursday, Algoma Public Health issued a public advisory warning to residents downstream of Algoma Steel not to consume, swim or bathe in water extracted from the St. Mary’s River as a result of the spill.
Ricard said his immediate priority was to keep Garden River residents informed of the situation and its possible consequences.
“A lot of people are fishing from the shore,” Ricard said.
Algoma Steel has never reached Garden River with meaningful advice in its 120-year history, Ricard said.
“I remember talking to some of the leaders here before my time and reading some of the information and came to the conclusion that meaningful engagement, consultation and accommodation – none of this was done with our community,” he said. “For many years I have heard it clearly and loudly from our citizens about the impacts, from the point of view of wildlife, from the point of view of fish, from the point of view of water and even the quality of the air that is under the wind.
This most recent incident simply proves that Algoma Steel should consult with Garden River, because the First Nation is directly affected by everything the industry does, Ricard said. Such consultations have never taken place between First Nation and other industries, such as the former pulp and paper industry. Marys, he said.
Algoma Steel – we somehow forced their hand to reach out to them to tell them that we need to talk about it, because we want to make sure that commitment, this communication, especially if something environmental happens, we need to worry “So we can inform our citizens, especially those living near the water,” he said.
Ricard said holding these consultations is important for the progress of his community.
“It’s a big concern not only to be downstream, but also to be downwind, and we’re talking about increased health impacts,” Ricard said. “This is our opportunity to assert our responsibilities as a nation and to say that we live with these impacts and we will be consulted, adapted to some of these things that have happened in the past.”
The sitting meeting between the management of Garden River and Algoma Steel was supposed to take place in November, but was postponed due to COVID-19.
“We are looking to improve relations with the steel plant and hold these meaningful discussions on the environment, some of the resources around this area and open dialogue,” Ricard said. “I am convinced that we are on the right track.”
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