It’s a Fact

Despite concerns for her own health, Donna went on a 68 day hunger strike against the exploration and mining of uranium in Lanark, ON.

Donna Dillman became aware that a uranium exploration company had staked and claimed 30 000 acres of land in Lanark, ON. Located near the headwaters of the Mississippi water system, flowing into the Ottawa River, Donna was extremely concerned by the claim and the harmful affects uranium exploration would create upriver in Ottawa and upwind in Kingston.

On October 8, 2007 Donna began what would become a 68 day hunger strike in support of a moratorium on the exploration and mining of uranium and a public inquiry. The community rallied in support.

In late November, the Premier of Ontario expressed concern that Donna was causing unnecessary harm to her physical wellbeing. She didn’t take the Premier’s advice to go home and recover. Instead, Donna travelled to Toronto to continue the protest at the Government of Ontario’s Legislative Building. Donna kept a daily vigil of the Member’s Gallery in the hopes that the moratorium on the exploration and mining of uranium in the Frontenac and Lanark region would be addressed, but to no avail.

Donna finally achieved success when the Ontario Legislature was about to recess for Christmas, A group of concerned Non Governmental Organizations--Greenpeace, the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, the David Suzuki Foundation, the Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility, Voice of Women, Mining Watch Canada, the Community Coalition Against Mining Uranium and the Sierra Club of Canada-- initiated Public Hearings into all aspects of the uranium cycle and agreed to participate as expert witnesses. In all, 157 people and numerous organizations presented. For her part, Donna facilitated and coordinated Public Hearings in Sharbot Lake, Kingston, Peterborough and Ottawa. Over 230 submissions were received and are currently available at uraniumcitizensinquiry.com.

Donna continues to travel North America to speak about her struggle and the risks associated with uranium. She continues to believe that fostering healthy communities today is the priority for tomorrow.