In Chemical Valley, Aamjiwnaang First Nation and Canada tackle environmental racism – The Narwhal

Feb. 11, 2025

After facing decades of pollution from industry in Sarnia, Ont., Aamjiwnaang First Nation and the federal government are moving ahead with a plan to address the toxic legacy

Aamjiwnaang First Nation and the federal government will work together on a pilot project to address environmental racism.

The nation, located in Sarnia, Ont., has spent decades fighting to stop pollution from a cluster of petrochemical plants known as Chemical Valley that surround it. On Monday, Aamjiwnaang Chief Janelle Nahmabin and Environment and Climate Change Canada signed the terms of reference to kick off the Lighting of the 8th Fire conference, bringing together various nations, as well as industry and government, to discuss the impacts of development on communities. The terms of reference includes the creation of a new joint committee aimed at addressing contaminants in the air, water and soil.

The agreement stems from the federal government’s Bill C-226, a law aimed at addressing environmental racism — the ways Indigenous, Black and other racialized communities in Canada disproportionately bear the harm of pollution and contamination. The bill, which passed last year, requires Canada to come up with a national strategy to prevent and address environmental racism, in collaboration with the most affected communities.

Read More: https://thenarwhal.ca/aamjiwnaang-sarnia-environmental-racism-pilot/