There Is a Monster under the Ground: Commemorating the History of Arsenic Contamination at Giant Mine as a Warning to Future Generations

Abstract

This paper analyzes a community-based project to communicate toxic dangers to future generations at Giant Mine, an abandoned gold mine near Yellowknife. Since 2013, the authors have worked with community groups, government, the Yellowknives Dene First Nation to develop a strategy for communicating the arsenic hazards at Giant Mine to future generations. Our experience suggests that any communication strategy must commemorate the multiple ways different constituents have known the mine. We also argue that any program to commemorate hazards for future generations can be a useful tool to address painful memories of historical environmental injustices associated with mine pollution.