FreeGrassy.org

Organize

Get others involved in the Free Grassy campaign. Help implement a sustainable economy that protects endangered forests and indigenous rights.

Demonstrate

Wood from Grassy Narrows’ territory ends up in retail outlets in stores across North America. 70% goes to the United States.  A unique way of life, a precious ecosystem and a community's future is logged, converted, shipped and sold as paper and wood products in retail outlets in your city.

Help free Grassy Narrows from this cycle of destruction by pressuring local retailers, such as Xerox and Trus Joist suppliers, to stop buying, selling or distributing products that are tarnished with ethical, environmental and social controversy.

Xerox

A section of Grassy Narrows’ territory rests within a portion of land called the Trout Lake Forest Management Unit. The Ontario Government has granted Weyerhaeuser the right to log in this unit. Logged endangered forests from the region travel to Weyerhaeuser’s Ontario Dryden Mill where they are converted into Xerox paper.  Xerox products are sold at all Office Max stores.

Trus Joist 

Grassy Narrows’ territory also rests within a portion of land called the Whiskey Jack Forest Management Unit. Wood from the Whiskey Jack Forest Management Unit and the Trout Lake Forest Management Unit feed the Weyerhaeuser Trust Joist mill. Trus Joist is a form of engineered lumber used to make wall framing, beams and headers.   Trus Joist products are sold around the world.   Weyerhaeuser is changing the name of Trus Joist to Timberstand, so please look out for both labels.

 Moving a Company

Pressuring a company is easy and effective. It’s a good idea to begin communicate your viewpoint to the manager of the store, via a letter or meeting.

Next, gather a few friends and organize a demonstration outside a store, talking to customers that frequent the store and asking them to sign a petition to stop buying wood and paper that’s made using a process that destroys endangered forests and violates human rights. 

Better yet, adopt a store selling Weyerhaeuser products and organize a series of once-a-week demonstrations. Numerous companies, including Home Depot and Staples, have committed to phase out of selling endangered forest products in response to hundreds of people picketing outside their stores.

Contact us!  We’re here to help.  Tell us whats going on and we'll get it up on the website!

Connect With Others

We can’t do this work alone. We hope you connect and work with allies across your region and across the globe.

  • Need some activist buddies?  Contact us for activist contacts. 
  • Planning an event? Send us the details we'll promote it.
  • Chat with others via Understory, RAN’s blog.
Demonstration outside a Costco store that sells Xerox products - Xerox sources wood from Grassy Narrows' land.

Download Materials

All the evidence you need to convince others to get involved in the Free Grassy Narrows campaign.

Pass A Good Wood Policy

Jonathan and Vanessa demonstration at Weyerhaeuser headquarters, 2004. Vanessa ran a 4 year campaign resulting in her school committing to using 100% recycled paper.

Pass a "Good Wood Policy" at your school, business or city. Keep products that come directly from endangered forests and contested indigenous land away from your community.

This policy endorses LEED green building standards and preferences local suppliers that abide by Forest Stewardship Council certification, an independent group that certifies forests that meet basic environmental, labor and indigenous rights standards. 

By advocating for this policy you can build great coalitions with unique constituencies, including those advocating for community revitalization, alternative technologies, green building community, human rights and indigenous solidarity activists, and environmentalists.

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