ABSTRACT

Climate justice organizers need to work in solidarity with Indigenous communities. One of the most successful of the Indigenous-led organizing strategies through community events in Aamjiwnaang is the Toxic Tours. Aamjiwnaang First Nation is located near where the St. Clair River leaves Lake Huron on its way to Lake Erie, in southwestern Ontario. Aamjiwnaang community members face health problems such as respiratory diseases, cancer, and pollution contaminating their bodies. Women in Aamjiwnaang face a 39% chance of having a miscarriage. Aamjiwnaang and Sarnia against Pipelines is a grassroots direct-action group that took on the responsibility of growing the tours into something bigger. Since the Toxic Tours began in 2013, the grave situation at Aamjiwnaang has received more and more attention. It is important for all people to learn about Aamjiwnaang and the impacts of Chemical Valley, to create awareness of the ongoing colonization of Indigenous people and their homelands.