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Two Hamilton women are making waves on Hamilton’s harbour. They are fasting and floating on the lake until something is done to clean up the waste that has littered the shoreline at Bayfront Park. They say they will not return to land until they get answers and see some action.
The women came in to shore for a brief period of time this afternoon to speak with city councillor Aidan Johnson. They showed him the bio-hazards that litter the shoreline and Johnson was surprised at what was there.
Used tampon applicators, needles, and more waste have washed up along the waterfront trail. First Nations activist Kristen Villebrum and Hamilton resident Wendy Bush stumbled across the waste a couple of weeks ago.
“This is our water! This is sewage! Hamilton, this is sewage and we drink it.” exclaimed Bush.
They were building inukshuks along the path to remember murdered and missing Indigenous women when they were horrifIed by the discovery.
“You don’t notice it the way it’s set up. It’s set up to look out at the water and you’ve got your children and animals walking through that.” said Villebrum.
The pair said they contacted the city of Hamilton to clean up the mess but nothing has been done. They boarded their floating dock Saturday evening and will not get off their vessel or eat until it’s cleaned up.
“As a settler we have an agreement with First Nation people to take care. We have an obligation and we’re failing.” said Bush.
Hamilton city councillor Aidan Johnson came to see for himself what the women are upset about.
“It was worse than I was expecting.”
Johnson says keeping this area clean isn’t just the city’s responsibility. The federal government owns the lake, while the city has an obligation to maintain the land.
“It’s very clear we need a proper clean up of the area. I don’t know where it’s coming from, so my next task is to clarify where this garbage is coming from and create a solution.”
Until the solution is found the women will continue their efforts and say they have supporters keeping them strong.
“I got to protect the generations that are coming. My son, my grandchildren, what we’re leaving. Water is life, water is the source to everything.” said Villebrum.
Johnson says garbage is supposed to be taken to landfills and waste that travels in sewers should end up at the Woodward Treatment Plant, but it should never end up in the lake.
He says the women’s concerns should be taken very seriously.
