So the money issue is the only thing you care about, shitty housing and many suicides are not important in your world eh.
http://www.chiefs-of-ontario.org/news_item/housing-crisis-in-attawapiskat/
HOUSING CRISIS IN ATTAWAPISKAT
BULLETIN
TO: All First Nations Chiefs within Ontario
FROM: Regional Chief Angus Toulouse
DATE: December 1, 2011
RE: HOUSING CRISIS AT ATTAWAPISKAT
ISSUE:
The Attawapiskat First Nation declared a state of emergency on October 28, 2011. The community continues to experience deplorable living conditions, due to lack of adequate housing and infrastructure, but now the conditions are worsening.
FACTS:
At the time of the state of emergency announcement by Chief Spence, there were:
· 5 families living in non-insulated tents
· 19 families living in makeshift sheds without water or electricity
· 87 buildings fit for condemnation that are being used as homes for 128 families
· 35 families living in houses needing serious repair
MEDIA COVERAGE:
Media coverage has increased as a result of Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus raising this issue in the House of Commons. The coverage has focused on the deplorable conditions in the community (communicated through YouTube video footage and photographs of children with burn scars and infections), to a current focus on the First Nation having received $92 million in federal funding since 2006.
Recognizing that you, as First Nations leaders, may be approached with questions or asked to comment on this issue, the COO secretariat has prepared a list of potential questions and answers to assist you (attached).
CURRENT STATUS:
The Canadian Red Cross is currently assisting the First Nation through the provision of generators, heaters, insulated sleeping mats, blankets and winter clothing.
The Regional Chief participated in a conference call today, December 1, 2011, hosted by Grand Chief Stan Louttit. Also participating in the call were, National Chief Shawn Atleo, Chief Theresa Spence, as well as numerous other chiefs located in the north. During the call it was noted that a press conference was held this afternoon in the community to disclose the details of all federal funding received over the past five years. The community received a hand delivered letter from the Regional Director General of Aboriginal Affairs that notified the community that they are being placed under third party management (which is deemed to be AANDC’s response to the community’s declaration of a state of emergency a month ago.)
During next week’s AFN Special Chiefs Assembly, the AFN will arrange another meeting to follow today’s conference call to determine ways to continue providing further support. It was also agreed that a resolution of support for Attawapiskat, and similarly affected communities across the country, will be introduced as part of the agenda.
CHIEFS OF ONTARIO ACTIVITIES:
At the request of Chief Theresa Spence, the Chiefs of Ontario has written to both AANDC (INAC) Minister Duncan and MAA Minister Wynne requesting a meeting with the Chief. The Regional Chief has been taking media interviews to advocate for Chief Spence’s request for immediate assistance.
The Regional Chief provided an opinion piece to the Toronto Star on the situation which was published in today’s edition, December 1, 2011 (attached). Future messaging from the COO and the Regional Chief will focus on advocacy for immediate assistance, historical context and treaty obligations. Requests for commentary on the financial situation of Attawapiskat will be directed to Chief Spence as she is in the best position to speak to the specifics.
https://nationalpost.com/news/canad...reserve-says-housing-shortage-worse-than-ever
After chief of Ontario reserve says housing crisis worse than ever, Trudeau promises to help
Trudeau said during a visit to Pikangikum First Nation that Ottawa is serious about working with the community to improve its housing
PIKANGIKUM, Ont. — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is promising a remote northwestern Ontario reserve help with a housing shortage that the chief says is worse than ever.
Trudeau said during a visit to Pikangikum First Nation that Ottawa is serious about working with the community to improve its housing.
He said more and better housing in Indigenous communities is one of his government’s priorities.
Earlier in the day, Pikangikum Chief Dean Owen said the backlog of homes needing to be built on the reserve is almost twice as much as it was when he became chief.
https://www.timminspress.com/2018/0...sues/wcm/2e3b5c4f-1d64-b624-d66d-0edb69181f99
Chiefs frustrated by delays in solving housing, water issues
Published on: May 10, 2018 | Last Updated: May 10, 2018 5:12 PM EDT
Attawapiskat Chief Ignace Gull says his First Nation has been waiting for years for the housing shortage in his community to be addressed.
With Perry Bellegarde, the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations standing at the podium inviting comments from around the table at the Nishnawbe Aski Nation Chiefs Spring Assembly, Gull grabbed the opportunity to voice his frustration.
Gull noted the fact there is an Ontario provincial election in June followed by the election of the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations.
“When it comes to election, people talk. Words. No action. That’s what I see over the last 30 years I’ve been around. We were talking about the same things 30 years ago. We keep repeating ourselves. In the meantime, people are waiting for something to happen.”
He said in Attawapiskat, “We have no serviced lots in our community … We have 200 people on a waiting list looking for a home.”
The First Nation, he said, has applied to expand its boundaries to accommodate new serviced lots but Gull said government officials have told him “legal issues” are holding up the application and the community is likely facing another three to seven years before there may be an approval.
“I think we as NAN chiefs, we need to do something,” said Gull. “We need to do something, not study something. We’ve been studied to death. We know what the problem is. We need our executive to start lobbying instead of looking at the problem. Find a solution because the Department of Indian Affairs, their system is not working for us.”
Another chief, Wayne Moonias of Neskantaga First Nation, located in Northwestern Ontario, spoke about the boil-water advisory that community has endured for nearly 25 years.
The federal government announced last year it would spend $9 million to upgrade the water plant to finally address the poor water quality, but Moonias told the NAN assembly Ottawa has put the project on hold.
He, too, expressed his frustration and urged support from the assembled chiefs and the national chief to lobby the government and get these issues revolved.
Bellegarde was asked after the meeting by The Daily Press why these housing and water-quality issues have taken so long to get resolved.
“Because the gap in the needs is so huge, that’s why,” he replied. “You’re not going to resolve these housing crises in three years. You’re not going to resolve the boil water advisory in three years. So it’s going to take a lot more resources to end the boil water advisories in Canada.”
Bellegarde said if the governments had honoured the “spirit and intent” of the treaties they signed with First Nations, communities like Attawapiskat and Neskantaga wouldn’t be in a crisis now dealing with a housing shortage or lack of drinking water.