Both developed and developing countries face issues regarding the safety and security of water sources (Anuar, 2012; Moe, 1991). Poor water quality and quantity has been one of the main contributors to human health related illnesses in developing countries (Moe, 1991). In addition, developed countries, such as Canada have water quality issues that are highlighted through Indigenous health impairments and as a result, advocacy for cleaner water (Anuar, 2012; Rudd, 2016). In Canada, one concern imposing threats to Indigenous health is various forms of water contamination (Gracey and King, 2009). This paper particularly highlights mercury contamination and its overall effects on an Indigenous community in Northwestern, Ontario.
In Canada, the term Indigenous refers to individuals who inhabited North America prior to contact and settlement of European explorers (Kardooni, 2014; Parrott, 2007). Indigenous communities and nations in Canada have their own ways of living, including diet, culture, language, ceremonies, and knowledge (Gracey and King, 2009; Kardooni, 2014). With few examples of Indigenous culture being
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This type of health framework is referred to as a holistic health approach as it incorporates physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual components of the human body (King et al., 2009). In particular this paper introduces physical health through neurological implications on both fetus and adults (Hong, 2012; Clarkson, 1991; Aitkenhead, Blake, & Orui, 2011), emotional and mental as a results of economic hardships and societal changes (Ilyniak, 2014; Wheatley, 1997; Aitkenhead, Blake, & Orui, 2011), and finally spiritual because the community’s traditional ways of living and connection to the water and land are hindered (Wheatley, 1997; Aitkenhead, Blake, & Orui,
In Whapmagoostui, “accidental and suicidal deaths, drug and alcohol related illnesses, infectious diseases, and chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus and cancer are all found- sometimes in disproportionate number-in native communities across Canada” (14). By waamistikushiiu standards, such health conditions are deplorable; yet for the Cree, these ailments readily signify a deeper, perpetual ache of land and culture. For centuries, influences of waamistikushiiu culture have altered Cree living. Devastating fur trades, land usurpation, mercury poisoning in fish and waterways, and flooding damage are only a few of the casualties to Cree life in the whiteman’s pursuit of happiness. As “the only way to acquire [miyupimaatisiiun] strength is to eat Cree food, and the only way to get Cree food is by hunting,” the Cree are bound to defy whiteman devastation of their land and assert rights to survival on their own terms (94).
Humans need water. In a world that is overpopulated, we use a lot of water and other natural resources. Currently, in our world, clean water is getting scarce. Recently, for example, Flint, Michigan, had a water crisis. In early 2016, the water was discovered to be tainted with lead and other toxins. Long before that, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and Governor Rick Snyder along with his council, knew about the lead, but to save money for the city of Flint in early 2014 Snyder had changed the city’s water source to the Flint River which had corroded pipes, causing people of all ages to be sick from the high amounts of lead
Pollution in Canada is not as bad as some other countries around the world, but it is becoming a more pressing issue day by day. Depending on where you live in Canada you might not see the effects of pollution as much, however pollution is all around us. From the pollution coming from our cars to the chemical valley in Sarnia, pollution is everywhere. The three main areas of pollution in canada are in the air, water and soil.
cares for the well being of the people. All of these issues present today are mostly portrayed
The industrialization of Canada is severely affecting the nations lakes, streams, and rivers. If something is not done to improve the situation it is going to have some severe environmental problems in its future. The following essay will be looking at the factors that cause pollution, and the effect that pollution has on the environment of Canada. It will also explore some of the methods used to treat and clean-up wastewater, and oil spills.
'Water pollution is any chemical, physical or biological change in the quality of water that has a harmful effect on any living thing that drinks or uses or lives(in) it. ' (Azeem 1). In Canada, most people live in the southern part along with many agricultural and industrial activities causing the worst cases of water pollution. Water pollution is caused by population growth and industrialization, but can be prevented if proper controls are taken into consideration to help reduce the discharge of waste materials. Water pollution has been a huge disadvantaging concern for humans as well as wildlife for over many decades, but can actually be prevented if attempted. Preventing waste materials from being dumped into lakes and rivers, controlling
What are some of the main causes of water pollution in Canada, and what progress has Canada made in dealing with water pollution? Provide some indication of the seriousness of air pollution in Canada.
The Great Lakes provide almost half the water for the residents of Ontario. The Great Lakes also provides water to residents in Thunder Bay, Port Hope, Sault St Marie, Niagara and many parts of The United States to name a few. With 70% of the Earth covered in water only 0.1% of it is clean accessible drinking water. The Great Lakes plays a major role in helping to provide water for people that live near the American/Canadian border. However this resource is being mistreated. Water pollution is a growing problem in the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes is being contaminated by pollutants that are released for direct and indirect sources without proper treatment. This is causing the lake to being polluted with harmful chemicals. By identifying the cause we can take initiative to help conserve the Great Lakes and to help restore it to its natural beauty.
Shut off from the rest of the Canadian population, they have been forced to live in areas where their basic human rights are not addressed, and Canadians have refused to acknowledge it. In remote areas of Canada where tribes like the Neskantaga peoples live, Drinking Water Advisories (DWA’s) have been in action since 1996. (Joseph) This means that two generations of Indigenous peoples have grown up without access to clean tap water. “In response to ongoing problems with the provision of clean drinking water on reserves throughout Canada, the government prepared this law, which sets out a process for developing regulations. Hence, [the SDWFNA] does not specify water quality parameters, standards, or actions to improve water quality. Rather, it enables Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) and Health Canada to develop regulations dealing with drinking water and wastewater.” [4] [emphasis added] (Joseph) The Canadian government has not only done nothing about the situation but instead has legalized their lack of effort and therefore allowed themselves to avoid dealing with the situation. The Canadian government has also avoided dealing with issues that Aboriginal peoples face in Grassy Narrows; where the people have been drinking mercury-poisoned water for the last half-century.
"Water Pollution." Current Issues: Macmillan Social Science Library. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 5 May 2014.
Clean water is needed for good human and animal health, but as DoSomething.org states, over 1 billion people worldwide don’t have a means of getting clean drinking water, an...
There are many types of pollution. The main types of pollution are water, air, soil, thermal, radioactive, noise, and light. The topic for this experiment is Water Pollution. Water Pollution became a problem in the 1900’s when water started being treated like sewage. Earth Day was founded by United States Senator Gaylord Nelson on April 22, 1970 because of 1900’s pollution. Water Pollution also affects humans and animals. There was a Cholera outbreak in 1854, before water pollution became a problem, and a Typhoid outbreak in New York from 1900 to 1915. There are multiple possible causes to Water Pollution. Humans let out chemicals into the environment, and when some of those chemicals
Have you ever had to walk miles away just to get clean drinking water, or don’t even not have access to clean drinking water? People all over the world, even in North America, don’t have access to clean drinking water or have to walk very far just to drink water. The main areas where this problem is prominent is in third world countries, and this is due to the lack of money and sanitation (Millions Lack Safe Water). Due to this lack of sanitation, water borne diseases can grow and infect people who consume it. Clean water is very important for life, and within this paper I will explain why we need it, how it can affect us, and what it will take to obtain clean water.
Some individuals don’t appreciate the advantage of having clean water available at all times. Habitants of developed countries who have easy access to clean drinkable water directly from a hose, tap water from the kitchen faucet or from bathrooms in their homes, usually don’t care or worry about saving it. Habitants of rural poor communities such as Sub-Saharan Africa, are living in a water stressed environment. Residents of these communities have to walk miles at a time just to gather water from streams and ponds, even though the water source may contain water-borne disease that can make them very sick. In the rural areas that don’t have access to safe, clean water, it is very difficult to prevent the spread of viruses.
The Causes of Water Pollution Water pollution is very harmful to the environment and living things. Water pollution can come from many different sources. If the pollution comes from only one source, such as an oil spill, it is called point-source pollution. If it comes from many different sources, it is called nonpoint-source pollution. Most water pollution affects the immediate area surrounding the source, but there are some types of pollution, such as hazardous, that can affect areas miles away from the source.