Toxic Times

Growing up in a farming community that utilizes mass quantities of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and various other -icides, when one actually takes the time to think about all aspects of the sprays and chemicals, aside from the advertised benefits for crop yield, there are many scary side effects that could and are happening from their usage. It is true that one application of Roundup may be beneficial for one farmer on a 40 acre field, but what about the other miscellaneous additives that are used on surrounding fields and the run-off that mixes them all together. Many citizens don't think about the long term ramifications of these harmful substances conglomerating underneath the surface, filtering into our drinking water. Agriculture in and of itself isn't bad; it is needed to sustain the tons of food that must be manufactured for our world. On the other hand, the synthetic chemicals and sprays that are utilized to reach new heights in crop production and yield should be thoroughly tested before allowed to be spread across vast acres of prime real estate. Obviously there are multiple other forms of toxic contaminants being infiltrated into the soil and air from other sources, and I cannot merely point the blame finger at other individuals. Each and every person has his/her impact on the planet, but there are sources of toxic chemcials that are blowing/leaking/pouring these harmful substances into the atmosphere, the soil, and the water that should look a little farther into the future and decide what kind of world they want to leave behind for their children.

Fish Kill Discussion -
As a Native American attending the town meeting, I would first of all consider it an honor to even be able to speak my opinion, especially since my tribe is considered a minority, though generations ago we were the first inhabitants before the white people made us move to the reservation. The fact that the owner of the paper mill was willing to made amends for the chlorine spill that killed vast amounts of our staple food source was surprising and reassuring. Other tribes throughout the area have not been as lucky. The treaty we signed with the white people six generations ago assured us that we could still fish in the river for our food sources, as well as our traditional ceremonies honoring the fish and the spirits that continually bring us our means of survival. As the years have progressed and the white people have become more dominant, the fish supply has significantly dwindled. Sometimes the fish taste a little different than they should, and some of our tribe have become sick, but this has only lasted for a little while. Now, with the fish kill, we are concerned that another kill of this magnitude could potentially threaten the very existence of our tribe. What would be do or where would we go if the fish become so contaminated that we cannot fish anymore? Much discussion, sitting around a campfire, smoking a peace pipe, and eating fish from the river with the white business people may make them more inclined to see things our way; the way of the world before we knew what chlorine and toxic substances were.