Chief asks why the PM makes time for a Raptors parade but hasn't visited Grassy Narrows

Grassy Narrows First Nationmembers are in Toronto as part of the community's campaign to secure construction andlong-term funding for acare home for those poisoned by mercury pollution.

A conceptual design for the mercury care home was unveiled Wednesday by Indigenous designer Bret Cardinal to media and community members.

The building is shaped like a canoe with 18 rooms facing south overlooking the lake surrounded by forest.

"It's what the people want," says Sandra Pahpasay.

"It's a cultural thing, as what we Anishinaabehave always believed isthat we should be situated near the water."

Mercury contamination

In the 1960s and early 1970s, apaper mill in Drydendischarged nearly 9,000 kilograms of mercury-contaminated effluent into the English-Wabigoon River system.

Pahpasay said she has lost over half of her family to illness from mercury contamination and is having complications to her own health such as fibromyalgia, osteoporosis and a crooked spine.

She saidher youngest brother Keith was the first person diagnosed with Minamatadisease when he was only a year old.Minamata disease isillness caused bymethylmercury poisoning, found in people who consume fish from water that has been contaminated by mercury.

Symptoms include neurological issues, visual and speech impairmentand lack of muscle co-ordination.

Late in May, Indigenous Services Minister Seamus O'ReaganvisitedGrassy Narrows,about 80 km northeast of Kenora,for the signing ofa memorandum of agreement for a care facility.But after meeting for over four hours, the agreement wasn't signed.

Community members are seekingan $88.7 million trustfor the development and 30-year operationcosts of the care facility, which will serve as both a hospice and hospital centre. They're asking for a trust to safeguard the funding from changes in government or spending priorities over the long term.

Contribution agreement drafted

In an email response to CBC, Indigenous Servicessaid that building a health facility in Grassy Narrows is a priority.

"We are continuing to work with Chief Turtle and Council to get shovels in the ground as soon as possible," the email said.

"We are ready to start flowing funds and can do so through a contribution agreement that will allow work to begin almost immediately."

Chief Rudy Turtle said he is not impressed with the government's response.

"We're asking for a trust to be set up," he said.

"We want something secure. Contribution agreements are written all the time, they're just standard practice."

He also criticized Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's attendance at thecelebration parade for the Toronto Raptors'NBA championship win when he has not yetsetfoot in Grassy Narrows.

"If the prime minister can switch his schedule to go to a big parade there's no reason why he can't switch his schedule to come to Grassy Narrows,"Turtle said.

"He won't even come and visit our reserve."

A march is plannedThursday fromQueen's Park to the Indigenous Services Canada office on Bay Street.