High Park Silent Action
THPS has been working with a coalition of Indigenous activists and cultural workers to organize an Indigenous Land Sovereignty Circle. The Circle will advocate and organize for Righting Relations, No More Glyphosate in High Park (or anywhere), Consultation with Indigenous Peoples on their Lands and Stewardship. This was our first public action. Indigenous women and 2-Spirit peoples will be prioritized. All allies welcome!
The waters of High Park’s Grenadier Pond, and the surrounding lands are in need of healing.
Recent efforts to remove phragmites a nonnative tall grass species around the pond’s edge have relied on glyphosate (a.k.a. Monsanto-Bayer’s Roundup). These chemicals are toxic to plants, animals, birds, insects, and to the lands and waters. They are also toxic to the people who work with them.
It is time to say NO to chemical management and YES to Indigenous Stewardship.
On October 13, 2019, join Indigenous Elders, knowledge keepers, and community leaders in a Silent Action to bring ceremony and healing to the lands and waters.
We gathered at 1 p.m. at the waters edge to share knowledge about land stewardship and the problems with chemical management while we make art for the Silent Action
At 2:30 p.m. we began a ceremony to honour the lands, waters, and all relations.
At 3:00 p.m. we began a Silent Action, holding hands around the pond.
**Please contact us at indigenouslandstewardshipTO@gmail.com if you would like to support this action, through donations of art materials, or other forms of support.
GLYPHOSATE RESEARCH
It has come to the attention of THPS that Glyphosate is used in High Park especially concerning the control of the invasive grass called Phragmites. Many Indigenous communities have been resisting pesticide use on the Land as well, many communities are adopting Glyphosate free parks and cities. At this point in time, it is Glyphosate is legal in Canada. Below are a selection of articles about the dangers of Glyphosate.
Trappers in Robinson Huron treaty area want aerial herbicide spraying to end – APTN News
International Agency for Research on Cancer WHO
Herbicide use in forests reduces biodiversity – Williams Lake Tribune
Taiaiako'n Historical Preservation society 