By Sam Laskaris Local Journalism Initiative Reporter One of its own community members is raising awareness about the long lasting and devastating effects of mercury poisoning in Grassy Narrows First Nation. Waawaate Fobister, who is an actor, dancer and playwright, is gearing up to present the dance piece titled Omaagomaan in a pair of major Canadian cities. The 60-minute production uses movement, sound and storytelling to tell of the tragedy of the northern Ontario Nation, which continues to deal with the fallout of mercury poisoning. The fiasco began several decades ago when a chemical plant, located southeast of Grassy Narrows, dumped several tonnes of mercury into the Wabigoon River between 1962 and 1970. The majority of the people in the First Nation ended up with mercury poisoning, partly from eating…
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