October Book: There's Something in the Water by Dr. Ingrid Waldron

October's book is by a Canadian author, Dr. Ingrid Waldron and this book was selected as the book club closely follows Orange Shirt Day and National Day of Truth and Reconciliation (September 30th).

"There's Something in the Water: Environmental Racism in Indigenous & Black Communities" is a 2018 book by Dr. Ingrid R.G. Waldron that examines environmental racism and its health impacts on Indigenous and Black communities in Canada, particularly in Nova Scotia.

Using settler colonialism as her theoretical framework, Waldron explores how environmental racism operates through white supremacy, state-sanctioned violence, and racial capitalism. The book documents how marginalized communities face disproportionate exposure to environmental hazards including toxic waste facilities, contaminated water, and industrial pollution.

Waldron reveals systematic discrimination in environmental protection, where these communities' health concerns are often ignored by authorities despite elevated cancer rates and health problems linked to contamination. The work highlights grassroots resistance efforts by affected communities fighting against environmental poisoning.

The book's impact extended beyond academia, inspiring a 2019 documentary directed by Elliot Page that premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. Dr. Waldron currently serves as Professor and HOPE Chair in Peace and Health in the Global Peace and Social Justice Program in the Faculty of Humanities at McMaster University.

**Cradle to Cradle: I recommend that anyone attending the book club also start reading Cradle to Cradle as it covers great fundamental sustainability topics that frequently come up in the book club discussions.