ANNOUNCEMENT

Gumption has prepared the following statements prior to its community meeting on Wednesday, June 28, from 7:00-9:00pm, which is being held at the Parry Sound Library.

The intention of releasing these statements is to align attendees with Gumption’s purpose, position and objectives going forward regarding the Parry Sound Project.

The executive summary and original report can be viewed and downloaded at www.gumptioninc.org/parrysoundproject. A short introductory video can also be viewed on Gumption’s website.

1. Gumption is a non-profit organization that has been a catalyst for raising important questions regarding the health and environment of Nobel, Parry Sound, Wasauksing First Nation and the surrounding area. We acknowledge the critical role that local residents and members of the community have had in both the growth and evolution of Gumption’s Parry Sound Project.
2. Gumption’s mission is to mobilize, equip and empower individuals and communities with the resources, knowledge and structure they need to identify significant local health issues, determine possible environmental causes and implement sustainable solutions.
3. The Parry Sound Project has reached a stage where a local community group must emerge to take over the work that has been completed to date.
4. Gumption intends to take an action-based, fundraising, cooperative, inclusive and solutions-oriented approach: with a goal of remediating any contamination that may be discovered to protect and preserve the health and environment of future generations. As such, those that become involved in a voluntary role with Gumption must also align with this approach.
5. Gumption reaffirms their commitment to remain integral and transparent with the community during this process.
6. Many people are coming forward with anecdotal stories pertaining to past industry (e.g. employees of CIL/DIL or at Depot Harbour), environment (e.g. personal water/soil testing) and health (e.g. rare cancers and other chronic health diseases). We continue to encourage local residents to come forward with these stories. These stories are being added to our database for record-keeping purposes. All contributors have the option to remain anonymous and the opportunity to decide their level of involvement.
7. (i) We understand that these topics hit close to home and can raise passionate debate. (ii) We recognize that some of us here today are not local to this community and respect that those of you who are local may have your own position and opinion about how things should proceed. (iii) We recognize that the possible environmental contamination being discussed effects both Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. We respect the possibility of differences in culture and approach to this issue and encourage participation from all groups. (iv) We do not and will not dictate how you should proceed concerning the research that has been publicized, the questions that have been asked, or the evidence that may revealed in the coming months. (v) Finally, we believe and hope that we will respect each other and unify under this primary objective: remediating historical environmental contamination that could be related to local health issues.

First published on Gumption’s Facebook page on June 28, 2017.