To: Beardy’s & Okemasis First Nation Band Members
From: Councillor i/c Lands & Finance
Date: June 29, 2016
Re: UNCONTROLLED GARBAGE DUMPING/DISPOSAL
Dear Band Members,
I am writing to let you know we received a number of complaints that band members continue to dump garbage at various sites all over the reserve, especially in and around the North Pasture.
There are a number of issues with uncontrolled dumping, and they are as follows:
- Surface and ground water contamination – remember our water comes from underground aquifers… dumping oil, old gas, antifreeze, batteries, etc WILL CONTAMINATE our primary water source;
- Soil contamination – hazardous chemicals that get into the soil (contaminants) can harm plants when they take up the contamination through their roots. If humans eat plants and animals that have been in contact with such polluted soils, there can be negative impact on their health. In addition, if our land leasers find problems with our soil, they will not rent our land, which of course means lost revenue for the band;
- Pollution – bad waste management practices can result in land and air pollution and can cause respiratory problems and other adverse health effects as contaminants are absorbed from the lungs into other parts of the body;
- Leachate – liquid that forms as water trickles through contaminated areas is called leachate. It forms a very harmful mixture of chemicals that may result in hazardous substances entering surface water, groundwater, or soil,
- Aesthetics wise – plain and simple, garbage is gross to look at; and
- Disrespects our elder’s teachings about respecting Mother Earth. This is something we are teaching our children in school, but by doing the opposite, we are teaching our children it’s okay to keep disrespecting Mother Earth.
When you dump just anything in the North Pasture specifically, keep this in mind. The ground is a light sand-base so ground water contamination can and will happen.
The clean-up of these dumping sites is costing the band money as well, and of course this is money the band does not have.
I would also like to point out, band members have reported to us that our own band members are hauling garbage for non-community members and dumping in our site. This is not allowed. Municipalities and farms have their own dumping sites.
Uncontrolled dumping continues to be a problem within our community. Our main garbage dump is on the South-Southeast side of the reserve. It is there for a purpose. We ask that you respect our community and use this dump site. Be smart with what you throw out and where you throw it. It will have adverse effects on our community…maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but someday. It is your children, your grandchildren and those not yet born who will inherit this land. Remember we can’t just up and move our reserve to another location. This is our home, this is our land so please respect it.
Sincerely,
Jeremy Seeseequasis
Councillor i/c Lands & Finance
For Your Information:
Rosthern has a recycling facility where many electronics can be recycled, such as:
Computers, Monitors and Accessories: laptops, tablets, CPUs (towers), desktop servers, CRT monitors, flat panel monitors and automotive displays as well as keyboards, mice, speakers, external modems/routers, external drives, and scanners.
Desktop Printers and Fax Machines: Inkjet printers, laser/toner printers, dot matrix printers, all-in-one (multi-function) printers, photo printers, label printers, and desktop photocopiers.
Televisions, including CRT and flat panel televisions, closed-circuit displays, and TV/VCR or DVD combinations.
Audio Equipment, including stereos (home and automobile), speakers (home, automobile, and MP3 docking speakers), headphones, microphones, portable music players (CD, cassette, MP3), voice recorders, radios, alarm clock radios, and turntables.
Video Equipment, including VCRs, DVD players, portable DVD players, personal video recorders (PVRs), satellite receivers, cable receivers, personal data assistants (PDAs), and digital picture frames.
Cameras, including film cameras, digital cameras, video cameras, web cameras, and security cameras.
Telephones, including corded and cordless telephones, cellular and smart phones, satellite telephones, VOIP telephones, pagers, beepers, and answering machines.
They also recycle many other things. For a complete listing go to http://www.sarcan.ca/
