Churches invited to raise their voices on September 23 in solidarity with the community devastated by mercury poisoning for six decades
The devastating mercury crisis in Grassy Narrows First Nation has persisted for decades, ever since 9 tonnes of mercury was dumped upstream from the community in the 1960s, with little action since from governments to help the people.
To this day, most Grassy Narrows members get no compensation for the serious impacts of the ongoing mercury crisis on their health, culture, and livelihoods. To make matters worse, Ontario is still allowing mining exploration on Grassy Narrows lands—against Grassy Narrows’ will.
The United Church of Canada officially endorses the Grassy Narrows River Run. The Indigenous Ministries and Justice and the Climate Justice staff team are working collaboratively to support the grassroots organizers of the River Run. We invite all United Church folks across Turtle Island to join them on their path to achieve mercury justice and freedom!
You can support directly by amplifying Grassy Narrows’ social media posts. You can also invite your community of faith, family, and friends to join the United Church contingent of the Grassy Narrows River Run at Grange Park in downtown Toronto at noon on September 23, 2026. We will have a big banner!
How Communities of Faith Can Support the River Run
- Amplify the River Run through your social media networks and community bulletins.
- On Sunday, September 20, please offer this Prayer for Grassy Narrows during your worship service to keep the youth, Elders, and community of Grassy Narrows in our hearts and wish them a safe journey to Toronto.
- Ring your church bells at 1 pm ET on September 23, in solidarity with the River Run and to take a stand against mercury and environmental poisoning.
- Walk this journey together in unity. The walk is anticipated to begin at 12 pm ET at Grange Park, and arrive at Queen’s Park by 3 pm ET. Meet at 11:45 near the Henry Moore Sculpture so we can walk together—keep your eye out for The United Church of Canada banner. If you plan to attend, please contact us directly by emailing , and RSVP at the Grassy Narrows RSVP link.
- If you are outside Toronto, reserve a seat on one of the buses departing from regional centres, including: Hamilton, St. Catherine’s, Kingston, Guelph, Kitchener and Waterloo, London, Peterborough, Barrie, and Orillia.
- If you are unable to join us, you can also support Grassy Narrows River Run by donating.
- Advocate with Grassy Narrows by signing and promoting this petition to the Prime Minister and the Premier of Ontario.
To learn more about the River Run, please visit the Free Grassy Narrows website.
Background
Grassy Narrows people are powerful leaders in the movement for Indigenous sovereignty and environmental justice. They have shown us that we can fight for justice against all odds and make real gains.
Together, Grassy Narrows people have kicked the world’s largest newsprint company off Grassy Narrows lands, forced the government to commit to clean up the English and Wabigoon Rivers, comprehensively reformed the Mercury Disability Board, and built a Mercury Care Home and Treatment Centre in Grassy Narrows.
They won’t stop until Grassy Narrows has the good life that they enjoyed before mercury.
Come out to show your support for Grassy Narrows’ fight for mercury justice at the River Run on September 23! Community members and leaders will travel 1,700 kilometers from Grassy Narrows to Toronto to demand that Ontario and Canada:
- Compensate everyone in Grassy Narrows fairly for the mercury crisis.
- End the pollution by stopping the Dryden Mill, and ending mining and nuclear waste plans that threaten Grassy Narrows.
- Support Grassy Narrows in restoring their community and way of life from the damage that mercury has done.
In April 2026, The Right Rev. Dr. Kimberly Heath, Moderator urged the Prime Minister to apologize to Grassy Narrows and echoed Grassy Narrows’ demands for fair compensation for harm of mercury poisoning, and an end to Dryden Mill’s ongoing pollution.
For more resources to support Grassy Narrows, explore the River Run Rally Action Toolkit.