Community Messages

Message from the Chairperson of the Mercury Disability Board
Please note that the message from the Chair is updated at the end of each fiscal year to provide current information on the Board.

From 2010/2011 Annual Report: 

"The legislation to establish the Mercury Disability Board was passed in 1986, now 25 years ago. The Board first met in February of 1987.

Since inception 946 people have received neurological assessments. Of those assessed, 258 people have received a disability benefit for life.

The procedures used by the Board to assess for symptoms consistent with mercury poisoning are the same as when the Board was established.

What's new? That was the question that the Board asked in the Literature Review that it commissioned in 2009. The Board wanted to know if there was new knowledge about the impact of mercury on human health that could inform the Board's work. The review, undertaken by Drs. Laurie Chan and Donna Mergler, was completed in 2010. The results of the Literature Review have been shared with the parties.

The Board is now dealing with the "So what?" and "Now what?" questions. To date one change has been made: where needed an additional visual fields eye examination will be done. This more definitively determines if a person is experiencing tunnel vision, which can be caused by exposure to mercury. 

The Board met with the Chiefs and Councils of Grassy Narrows and Wabaseemoong in September. This was a productive discussion with the parties developing a clearer sense of how we could all work together in support of people who experience symptoms consistent with mercury poisoning.

Thanks to the members of the Board and the Board assistant who enable the Board to work effectively and consistently. The perspectives and advice of community members, physicians and Ontario and Canada representatives combine to provide wise consideration in all of the Board's business."

Margaret Wanlin, Chairperson


Message from the Chief of Wabaseemoong Independent Nation
The website will give community members living both in the community and off reserve, visitors and visiting workers to the community and the general public the ability to learn more about the history of the contamination of the river systems, the negotiation process, the development of the Mercury Disability Board and Mercury Disability Fund and how the Board operates.

Historical community information around the contamination and its effect on the communities can be found under the Affected Communities link.  The FAQ section answers many questions asked by community members around processing claims, hair and blood sample usage and how to speak to the Board in person.

I recommend taking the time to look around the site to learn more about the mercury contamination issue still facing the communities.

Chief Eric Fisher, Wabaseemoong Independent Nations


Message from the Chief of Grassy Narrows First Nation
to be posted