In early November the Attawapiskat First Nation in northern Ontario took the extraordinary step of declaring a state of emergency. Faced with the beginning of winter, overcrowded housing and over one hundred people who have no houses at all, Chief Theresa Spence asked the federal and provincial government to recognize a state of emergency; to consider a temporary evacuation of the community; and to reach agreement on the funding needed to build housing, supply clean drinking water, and build the new elementary school that has been promised for years.
As this action was sent out, CBC reported that “Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan said Friday that no decision has been made to provide added funding to Attawapiskat to address a housing shortage, but his officials will travel to the northern Ontario reserve to ensure recent aid is being used effectively.” No timeline on emergency assistance has been offered by either government. Temperatures at James Bay are dropping fast. People may die if nothing is done.
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