Attawapiskat reserve caught in war of words

Attawapiskat First Nation Chief Theresa Spence says in an open letter that Ottawa is trying to deflect public attention from failed public policies of the past.

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A Red Cross worker loads sleeping bags onto a trailer at the airport in Attawapiskat, Ont., Tuesday November 29, 2011. (Adrian Wyld / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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CTVNews.ca Staff

Date: Sat. Dec. 3 2011 9:23 PM ET

While hard winter weather closes in on the residents of Attawapiskat reserve, a war of words has broken out between the federal government and the leader of their squalid northern Ontario community.

Dismissing suggestions that millions have been misspent there, Attawapiskat First Nation Chief Theresa Spence said the reserve's financial statements are audited annually and government officials have visited the James Bay community 10 times in the past year.

She added that Ottawa placing the reserve's finances under third-party control was a classic case of blaming the victim. The federal government has stated it wants to determine how $90 million in federal funds was spent over the past five years.

According to Spence, "It is incredible that the Harper government's decision is that instead of offering aid and assistance to Canada's first peoples, their solution is to blame the victim and that the community is guilty and deserving of their fate."

Last month the reserve declared a state of emergency and called in the Red Cross to help those living in tents and trailers, which in some cases are surrounded by raw sewage.

John Saunders, the Ontario director of disaster management for the Canadian Red Cross, said he was shocked to see the living conditions in Attawapiskat.

"We're not necessarily used to seeing people living in shacks and sheds," he said. "And especially the numbers of people, where we're seeing five or six people living in an 8-foot-by-10-foot space as their entire living area. … It's somewhat shocking to many."

For the short term, the Red Cross has brought in sleeping bags and space heaters to help keep people warm but there are plans to bring in generators and additional heaters.

When asked about the crisis during a visit to Burlington, Ont. on Friday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the government's goal remains self-governance for Canada's First Nations.

He said the issue of squalid conditions in communities like northern Ontario's Attawapiskat had come up during a meeting Friday with Assembly of First Nations Chief Shawn Atleo.

"I think the long-term goal of everybody is to have strong, accountable systems of self-government for Aboriginal communities. I think we all realize that we're not going to get there in one giant leap," Harper said after meeting with Canada's top chief.

In an open letter, the chief of the Attawapiskat reserve said "smashing the status quo" of government-native relations is essential to the future of not only her reserve but many others in Canada.

"It should not take a crisis to prompt change," Spence said. "Blaming is hurtful and pointless."

She also accused the federal government of ignoring treaty rights and of dragging natives back into a failed system.

Charlie Angus, the New Democrat MP who represents the region, said there has been a media fixation on the money issue because people outside the north have no concept of the fiscal demands of living in the north.

"The fact is, if you are paid in Attawapiskat, for example, the per-capita spending is about one-half of what it is on a non-native Canadian," Angus told CTV News.

"But meanwhile, you have to do all your infrastructure, all your education, all your health services. Things start to fall apart pretty quick and that's what's happened in Attawapiskat, it's happened in Pikangikum, it's happened in Kashechewan, it's happened in Fort Albany, this is happening across northern Canada."

Angus said Attawapiskat is one of a number of northern communities that have been ignored by Ottawa, while residents have grappled with horrendous living conditions and grinding poverty.

"You look across Northern Canada and these communities are collapsing, Attawapiskat is the tip of the iceberg," Angus said.

Comments are now closed for this story

Algonquin Girl
said

Just Wondering -- Ottawa -- The provincial government is not held responsible for a federal issue. Welcome to the Catch 22 -- a people no one wants to be responsible for but -- lands that everyone wants a piece of. I think every Canadian should be forced to take a course on historical First Nations history and understand why things are, the way they are. Maybe a lot of the ignorance and misunderstandings, would be alleviated. The past two weeks, I've heard more racism come out of the mouths of seemingly educated people but seriously, this can't be the Canada I know? You should learn the history (and more than just a google search would be excellent) before you throw your opinions into somewhere you likely have no expertise in.

Algonquin Girl
said

Ontario Taxpayer, Angus has brought this over and over and over again to people's attention. No one listens.... and it was only because he called the gov't and the red cross out on this two weeks ago, that anything was done -- that it had been a month and no one had come. That's the only reason the finger pointing is happening now. If you live in a northern community (North Bay and up), you will hear this in our news all the time. But, no one cares about the Indians up north...

Rose in BC
said

How many of you on here pointing the blame to someone or other really care about your fellow man and the terrible situation they and many more are living in. How about writing to your mps and demand these communities get help NOW!! Be part of the solution not the problem. One day this could be you with no where warm to sleep. Are we so small we care more about where the money went, getting our two cents in on Harper or what ever else and totaly miss the fact we are talking about human beings living far below what any one in Canada should have to. COME ON People have some heart!!

Rick's P.O.
said

The Canadian Gov can spend millions maybe Billions world wide and not know where the money goes BUT they can't fix there own backyard. Fix the problemand then debate who is at fault.

patricia
said

When will ignorant Canadians realize that we are all treaty people? The truth of the matter is that if you take out treaties, then I'm sorry if you are not native to this land you have to leave. The resources that our capitalist society has profited from are everyones, and besides status or no status we all pay taxes. That's a big misconception that Status First Nations pay no taxes. get real and learn your own country's history. Re-evaluate treaties because the government has to yet again put a First Nation community under third party? Why don't we assimilate other cultures to be more First Nations? its because First Nations are considerate and have class. No one likes it when thier cultures and religions are belittled, why is it ok to do that to First Nations people? That's right it shouldn't be. So everyone should quit talking about how sad these people are living in these conditions and do something about it, help them don't get mad at them and set them aside like they were some sort of vermon.

Larry
said

If you divide 90 million by 2000 people, and gave them the money divided equally, they would have been able to move to somewhere else. They would have had access to jobs and education and medical. Where they live , there is no work or future and will remain a welfare situation. Like pouring water in a well. The same thing happens on most reserves..the "elected" members share the wealth with their friends, and the others do without. It's time to revamp or do away with the Indian Affairs and do something that has an end in sight..move them and set something up so they can become self governed and sustainable.

Frank Buchan
said

There's no way that the living conditions shown by the media should exist, no matter how far north one goes. Yet, having said that, given the financial inputs (of taxpayer money), there is no present explanation of why they exist. An audit is wise, if only to avoid whatever additional funds are now spent leaving the vulnerable folks unprotected once again. Basically put, someone used the previous inputs for some purpose, and understanding what it is might prevent the future being as bleak as the present.

ontario Taxpayer
said

I am still waiting for Charlie ANgus to explain why he has not brought this to the nations attention before? He has been the MP for this riding for the past 7 years! ENOUGH finger pointing and he said she said blame game! Fix the darn problem and then hold the band leadership accountable! 34 million dollars a year to run a community for a population of 2000. The math does not add up!

ArchersRequest
said

This govt is a sick joke. All of the Ministers should resign.

Stu
said

I'm more concerned with knowing where the 153 billion went that Harper spent than this small amount of money. If an audit was done on this reserve then it's Harper's clowns to blame.

PatS
said

While the members of Parliament both Federally and Provincially point fingers the KIDS in this community are being ignored. We are all aware that if it was happening anywhere else in Ontario whether on a reserve or in towns or cities someone would have stepped in long ago. There is NO REASONABLE EXCUSE for these conditions to continue for any length of time while the politicians argue about who is responsible. It is obvious that there has been issues for sometime but the ADULTS need to get their priorities in line and do their job of protecting the young, old and disabled. I appreciate that living in southwestern Ontario gives me no idea of the life style in Northern Ontario but I know that we send millions of dollars and goods to foreign countries to help children. I think that we need to take care of our own first. If I could jump in my car and go to assist these people I would but even if I could afford it I understand gaining access on land (ice) is not available right now. Now is the time for those with power to put their politics aside and take care of those who do not have any control.

bikerborz
said

Does nobody realize that, on reserves like these, ALL the money going to the band passes through the CHIEF'S hands first? Forget political correctness -- when is the Chief going to have some accountability? This is not the first time this type of thing has happened; it may be the worst, though.

Wake up Canada
said

I would like to see the full disclosure of the salaries of the chiefs. I would also like them to produce and document all of their assets they have acquired on the backs of their own people. Still waiting for a photo of the chiefs house and toys. This all makes me sick. They are also the ones smuggling in the drugs and alcohol to sell to their own people. They are the ones causing the genocide of their own people. They should be in jail.

Dan
said

If we are serious about equality in this country and combating racism, we must eliminate this different-but-equal system. The answer is simple.Abolish the reserves.Tax native Canadians like anyone else.This welfare culture is doing them far more harm than good.

JDF - Calgary
said

I agree Charlie Angus has a lot to answer for. It is interesting that he waited 7 years, until the week before the first NDP debate, to bring this situation to Canadians attention. Curious.

LP
said

The arrogance of those posting here is disgusting. Do any of you know how expensive it is to build and maintain infrastructure in the harsh climates of northern Canada? How about people refrain from passing judgement in either direction until the facts are known. Playing politics with peoples lives is no kind of constructive answer. The bottom line is that Native Canadians were swindled out of their land and the rich resources that is contained within it. We as the European immigrants that took their land and livelihood from them all those many years ago owe the natives the benefit of the doubt, and are morally and legally responsible to take care of their needs no matter the circumstances. All you individuals who think that that the Natives don't deserve our help are exemplify the greed and arrogance that set their miserable fate in motion.

ea
said

I have watched this story on TV, and like most people have been upset about the conditions that these people are living in, regardless of who spent the money on what, and I am sure that it was misspent, considering the fact that they have the brand new Zamboni for the ice rink, and apparently they have their priorities confused, I was wondering were all the money is going that the casino are earning, apparently a million dollars a day from the gamblers, why has this money not been put towards some badly needed housing and hydro to fix up this reserve? this is the same as the other lotto proceeds that was suppose to go towards new parks and recreation, were is the money, people are freezing, I suppose they forgot about their promises as well just like the other politicians etc. I am so sick of hearing about all of this mismanagement of funds, and about these people who spend like it is going out of style, all while there are people everywhere in this great country of Canada living like they are in a third world country, when are these so called great minds going to stop abusing the purse strings and start doing what they are paid to do, which by the way is not use the tax money for their own benefit, and think that 'sorry' is good enough, start paying out of your over paid salary, if you feel like you have to abuse the tax payors money, stop with the sorry and pay it back, if this was a bank, and you lost money then you would be obligated to repay the money or go to jail, I believe it is called fraud,

Bob
said

I hate the Cons as much as the next guy but I want to see the kids warm and safe with clean water, schools and doctors to attend to them. After that's accomplished we can start the witch hunt.

peter in mb
said

Theresa Spence is not being honest. they Could have easily built a trailer park with 90 million. Living in a trailer is better then living in a shack. I wonder what kind of house Theresa Spence lives in and where this house is located.

Richard
said

...just have a look at their administration and governance expenses in their financial report.. makes you weep. 3 chiefs and 19 "councilors" (more than Toronto) for a community of 1600 people. 12 Education Board members and many well paid administrative folk... but telling ...are the names mostly from 4 or 5 families.Nepotism and Croneyism reign supreme. Sorry but lets call this for what it really is...gross fiscal mismanagement bordering on corruption.

Antipro
said

"You look across Northern Canada and these communities are collapsing, Attawapiskat is the tip of the iceberg," Angus said.Definition of "INSANITY" Doing the same thing over and over and over again and expecting a different result. Angus, I couldnt have implied it better.

Failed MP
said

If Mr.Angus is the MP for this region and the needs of the region were not being shown to higher authorities before now he has failed at his job has he not? If any MP who actually cared about every part of their riding were the MP for this region then we would have all known about this ages ago and been able to help them sooner, instead of waiting till the last minute.

tired vet,
said

Imagine if we were all treated fairly...$53,000.00 per person per year is not too shabby. This is the amount they have received from our government. It has to stop. No one feeds my kids. I am a native canadian. (born here) and a Veteran, and i live on about half of one persons allowance. There should be an independant money manager in place for these people.

jazz
said

so anyways..... WHERE IS THE MONEY?

JohnJohn
said

First these people don't own the house. A reserve land is not even owned by the band. You can't sell it, buy it, mortgage it or take out a second mortgage for repairs. The house is built according to government contracts in a system that discourages quality. The band can't spend their money like they want. It has to be spent specifically based on this reasons the government allocates and yearly audits submitted completed by a third party in this case Ross, Pope and CO LLB must confirm it the fact the government says they didn't know of the problem or were the money is going is a blatant lie.. Of the 18 million a year the feds provide Attawaspiksat i 11 Million "must" be spent on Education and Health care-a responsibility no city must bear. They have have all servicing provided based on the government contracting services. There's no just phoning up the plumber or electrician! I did a quick calculation on the yearly per capital spending of combined federal. provinical, and municipal government (based on citizen in Alberta, and St Albert where I live) and a combined $22, 000 a year is spent for every man women and child. A good start on the housing and drinking water problem could have been solved by the ground breaking Kelowna Accords. However although the NDP. Bloc, and Liberal past the bill to implement it in 2007, the Tories refused because it was private member bill and weren't obligated to spent a cent on it-and buried it.

Alethia
said

There is nothing punitive about an audit. Clearly, until that is complete, funding that ends up with this sort of squalor needs to be under an interim stewardship. Blame will only happen if the money was misappropriated. An audit doesn't presume guilt, and the process doesn't assign guilt.Having the common law spouse of the chief overseeing funds, sounds like conflict-of-interest, but doesn't mean it has been mismanaged. Don't you think taxpayers' concern to want to be sure money was used appropriately is valid?It wasn't the government who declared a state of emergency. This particular state was no longer tenable. Someone had to intervene.

kenm
said

I've never been to Attawapiskat so I decided to travel there via Google Earth. There are several photos of the community on that site. It looks like a pretty normal "northern" community. About 1.5 km northeast is what appears to be a well constructed sewage lagoon, which when measured reveals that it is about 25 times larger than the one in my home community which is larger than Attawapiskat. DeBeers has a nice technology and training centre in town and there are pictures of new housing being constructed. There is quite a bit of evidence of good quality adequate existing housing in the community. I suspect the substandard housing we see portrayed in the media represents only a small portion of the community. Looks to me as if something is being covered up in this sudden exposé in the media. Yup, it is time someone is held accountable for this mess and it really would be nice if the media filmers & photographers would turn their cameras around and give us a tour through the rest of the village. Thank you, Feds for moving in the direction you are going.

Just Wondering - Ottawa
said

Where is the Ontario Government on this? McGuinty is the Premier of Ontario and this Reserve is in Ontario. So committed to children and their education what has he done for these little kids. Now on with getting tough on "bullies" ... why did he not want to keep the "Safe School Act" that Mike Harris of the Conservatives had in place and then McGuinty gutted it with the support of the Teachers Unions and now wants to get tough...well how about getting tough and putting your money where your mouth is and get what is need here along with the Federal Government for these people...

LEM
said

Children. Whatever else, there are Canadian CHILDREN living (and dying) in these deplorable conditions. They have done nothing to "deserve" this. They have not squandered any money. They are KIDS. And ALL Canandian kids deserve better than this. From their families, from their governments, from all of us.

simone
said

OK before anything is questioned, pondered and blame game and finger pointing starts let's:- get all the families into a warm and safe environment for the winter, There are kids here and they have no blame in this nonsense-all politicians and adults grow up and stop trying to blame each other. I believe it is called ACCOUNTABILITY- try using our HUMANITY instead of money as the issue

Jerry Thomson
said

Mr. Angus seems to believe that we must now build these folks new houses to solve the problem. Does Angus own his own home? If so, let's make a deal with him: __ 1) We (taxpayers) will find him an equal or better home to live in for a year, move his family there and pay his rent and moving expenses, etc. __ 2) We will then move one of these native families from that reserve into his house for the year. ---3) In a year, Mr. Angus can have his house back and see how it looks. We will pay all his moving expenses back but he has to cover any fixing that isn't normal wear and tear.__ Come on Mr. Angus, how about it? You have all the answers. Now back it up.

Just Saying - Ottawa
said

In todays local paper it states that the one in charge of the Finances for the Reserve is the common law spouse of the Chief..one would think it would be someone more independent from the Leader.

gfinale
said

On one hand Spence says blaming is hurtful and pointless and then right away afterward blames the federal government. You can't get any more hypocritical than that.

Frustrated Thunder Bay
said

One has to feel compassion for the elderly and children of this community. I hope they can receive what they need. I however share the opinion of many here that the apparent endless amount of money thrown at this proplem just does not work.I believe that the current system only supports corruption on the scale of 3rd world dictatorships .The chiefs and Councils use nepotisim to reward family at the expense of the rest of the community.As far as accountability I believe its necessary . I have seen a FN Chief lose in excess of $90,000 in one night at an Ontarion casinio.At the end he laughed and said `there is more where that came from

Barry Wynn
said

The Prime Minister talks about self-government for these Native Canadian communities. How would the infrastructure be setup i.e. where will the money come from? These communities have absolutely no infrastructural i.e factories. The PM is talking crazy when he says that. Another factor; when will this self-government be introduced into law? Tomorrow, next year or until the elements produce casualties i.e. death by freezing. Come on people help the PM, the FN Administrators to see that these communities are finish and genocide has been established.

Pat
said

The 90 million given by the Feds is only one group of funds received. The Province threw in a few million, a casino gave a few million and the diamond mine gave 300 million...all this money in just the last 4 or 5 years. The school that was condemned has not been rebuilt but a new arena was built. Angus claimed that the arena was needed to prevent youth suicide...that is just insane. Why did it take Angus 7 years to finally point out this mess.

Victor Diamond Project
said

Where are all the reveues going from the spinoff to Attawapiskat from the Victor Diamond Project?

mlb
said

First, anyone look at the office of the band chief, looks pretty well taken care of. Place blame there, look there not at the people. Do not stereotype, not every native is a lazy person. Second, the next election, remember this. Vote for the good of the country, everyone and not to vote in a majority so we don't have to vote again for another four years. Our troops are fighting right now to allow us the freedoms that most of us take for granted. Stop the public tax money until houses are being fixed. Infrastructure is being completed and common sense is being used. Governments need to insure basic and necessary care is taken care of first. For all us, we can no longer afford as a nation to cater to mistakes and wrongs done a hundred years or more ago. Not when children and seniors cannot afford the basics of food today. This is happening everywhere not just on the first nations.

Dolores Hancock
said

It is a day of strange responses to issues!The Canadian youth delegation that boarded greenhouse gas spewing aircraft using petroleum based fuel to go to South Africa and back-hypocrisy! Why is it that no one talks about how irresponsible (and earth warming) it is to have added 6 billion more people to earth's 1804 population of 1 billion. Specific and urgent conditions for some at Attawapiskat does not mean that the community is not accountable for not cleaning up 2 year old sewage as anyone else would do and buying a bottle of bleach instead of living with it or moving into a tent or shed. Does anyone else see the incongruities?

Chantal Dupuis
said

If I had holes in my floor, bathrooms so filthy that they cannot be used, broken windows or repairs that were needed to my home.... the government would NEVER pay for that maintenance and those repairs. Why are we paying to support a community of 2000, men and women, mostly unemployed, who cannot be bothered to put in some effort into maintaining their homes??? Anyone of us, non aboriginal, would be laughed at and told to get off our bums and get to work if we were to report similar issues to our government officials. At the least these people should be told that they will get support in EXCHANGE for labor at least it would be a cost saving. EVERYONE has to work for a living be it at a day job or at home cleaning and repairing to maintain a safe and healthy home, as far as I am concerned, they are Canadian citizens too so why do we have double standards??

ian
said

According to the band's financial statements, of the $34 million that Attawapiskat received last year from the Federal Government, $11.2 Million, 32%, and an even higher amount of 36% of its entire expenses went to the salaries and benefits of band leaders. One has to wonder how many of them are living in unheated tents or shacks. So for the "critics" of the government to say that the victims are being punished by placing them under Third Party Review, is ludicrous. I have seen first hand conditions on different reserves and there is no excuse why people have to live under those conditions given the amount of money the government has committed. A complete overhaul or audit of the money being spent has to be done and whenever it has been suggested in the past, it has resulted in the hue and cry of righteous indignation from the aboriginal leaders and their supporters. I believe that, as has been the case in the past, the government once again handed over the money, and out of fear of criticism let the aboriginal leaders take care of their people with very little government oversight. I find it rich that the opposition parties are saying that the government should have been keeping a closer eye on how the money was being spent, when in the past the NDP has always cried that the government should let the aboriginals have self government. Once again the left wants to have its cake and eat it too.

gregnb
said

I'm tired of hearing the blame game from both sides, what I would like to hear is the people in these houses take the blame for letting their houses get in this shape. I guess its hard to have an attachment to something if its just given to you.

Ed
said

The Native Reserve concept was a huge mistake at its concept. The government and First Nations should move quickly to assimilate First Nations with the general population; this would bring huge savings and allow equal benifits such as housing, health care education and job opportunities. Let the First Nations retain their reserves for recreation, tourism etc because the days of living off the land is gone.

Ian
said

Hmm, Charlie Angus is the MP for the region and I don't recall ever hearing anything from him or his office about the deplorable conditions there. Still he sits there on his Higher than mighty throne throwing criticism that the government has dropped the ball. When was the last time he even visited that area to see what the conditions were like. Likely never, or he would have seen how bad things were. It's time for the partisanship in Canadian politics to be toned down just a wee bit. If the opposition truly wants to work with the government, they should expand their role as the official opposition into other areas beyond simply acting as the official blame thrower.

JB in Ontario
said

We as Canadians need to help the Chiefs of these reserves. Hire some Accountants to help the Chief with the financial aspect of running the reserves. We cannot afford to lose track of our spending and we need to treat the natives with dignity and respect. Running water, proper sewers, food shelter and clothing should not be too much to ask for any Canadian. I think the majority of native Indians are happy hunting, fishing and playing hockey and going to school once they have the basics.

Gary M
said

I live near a reserve. These folks get new houses built for them and in a few years they are a wreck. No wonder - they don't personally own them and never can. There is no incentive to improve them. If they do, and make a beautiful showcase house, the band has the authority to move them out and let the chief's niece have it. The reserves should be done away with - split up everything among the people in them who would personally have title to their home and could sell it to anyone they wish and also trade for or buy a different home anywhere if they want. Give them each their land personally to start out and then let them make it on their own just like the rest of us. Taxpayers pay over $10 billion per year to sustain these people who rarely give anything back while they are living on the reserves. That is nothing but waste and sadly has destroyed a once thriving and proud race of people. Many natives who have moved out and joined the rest of us have done very well. That's the answer. The days of living off nature and living in teepees or sod cabins our early ancestors lived in is over for everyone as we have a much more advanced country and better place to live now. So let's move on.

Just Sayin'
said

"It should not take a crisis to prompt change," Spence said. "Blaming is hurtful and pointless." Spoken like someone who is to blame...

joseph
said

Any remote community in our great north is faced with the same dillema. The extent of that remoteness determines the extent of the difficulties. Madsen for instance relies on Red Lake for alot of its needs. Sapawe relies on Atikokan and Thunder Bay. Ignace relies on Dryden and the list goes on. We, in the smaller communities, have learned to become more self-sufficient and deal with the problems created by living in the more remote areas that we chose to call home. When one lives in these conditions one does not expect to see the best of health care, the biggest arenas, the best stores, the most advanced infastructure or the least expensive supplies. Is there something more going on here? Is there a special cause for these intolerable conditions. Just a thought.

Lorie
said

If Chief Theresa Spence has nothing to hide, what's the big deal??

Doug ^^^ BC
said

As terrible as it is to see people living in the conditions they are in Attawapiskat, if this crisis leads to some transparency, and a proper audit, this may be a blessing in disguise. We have many First Nations people in BC who also live in very remote areas,and whose living conditons don't look up to par to me. Let's get the rhetoric and the politics out of this issue. And let's have honest answers to honesy questions. It's easy to for Charlie Angus to say that per capita spending on people putside of Attawapiskat is twice what it is on this reserve.To finish that point,don't we need to know what the economic base is on this reserve. How much do they contribute to the nationall "kitty", vs how much they draw out? Is it posssible to boost their local economy,rather than just throw in more money earned in other jurisdictions? What do they produce,or want to produce on their traditional land? In BC, we have First Nations bands living in remote areas,who are also poorer than they should be. But at the same time, they are refusing to allow developement on their land. Some are actually logging themselves, and doing well enough right now. Others have been offered jobs and royalties in mining, but still don't want to develope the properties. Nationally, this is complcated. Not all bands have the same needs, or the same resources to work with. First Nation people are as diverse as teh rest of us, so there will never be a "one size fits all solution". We just have to quit spitting at each other,and work harder to find solutions that are both fair, and affordable. For ALL of our sakes.

Marty in P.A.
said

Probably a ton of comments already on this issue, but what the heck. So, there are 1200 people there. Average 6 to a home. That would be 200 homes. IF (big IF), each home took $200K to build, that would be $40M. So, where did the other $50M go? Why are there issues with infrastructure? Yes, the Fed Govt should be chastised for not better over-seeing this issue. Yes, the Aboriginals should be held under the microscope. And yes, this NDP member should be recalled for not getting his head out of the sand (among other things) for his 7 years of neglect and now trying to get his 15 mins of fame. Not sure if the whole treaty issue has to be looked at (or maybe it should), but obviously, there are multiple failures on all levels.

Ken M
said

The situation in Attawapiskat is quite dreadful. However, I find it quite curious that some of the blame for the problems there is attributed to the community being so far north. In the west, cities and towns like Quesnel, Prince George, Prince Rupert, Fort St. John, HInton, Edson, Edmonton are all farther north than Attawapiskat and they don't seem to be suffering (inconvenienced some, agreed) from their remoteness.

Thom in Calgary
said

Follow the money! 90 million dollars injected into a community this small over a 5 year period? I mean really, can't anybody do long division any more?There's no commerce other than social assistance, no trade, no reason for people to live, get up and go to work, build a home with their own money, support a community from their own labor through municipal taxes. Just truck loads of money continuing to pour in to the community from the south and it flows through the community with no results. Audit all you want where it went, what good did it do and why didn't it do any. Not an unreasonable or racist question.The leadership of this community has failed its people, they were given the resources and miss spent them.7 or 8 people living in an 8 x 10 shack? Come on, what;s it cost to build an 8 x 10 shack, $500? Nearly 20 million dollars a year has flowed into this community, where did it go? Odds are real good that someone is living pretty good off of some of that dough!

Why??
said

Why doesn't the CTV show photos of the brand new Zamboni in the new hockey arena? Where is the photo of the Band Leaders house for comparison purposes? Just thinking that we not be getting the full picture ( no pun intended ) but only want the media wants to show us & therefore .................??

Joe
said

How do you live in a 3rd world conditions when the government hands you ninety million dollars? I blame the chief(s) in this case. All are probably driving Hummers year round and vacationing in the Dominican every winter while their people suffer.

BuzzerKiller
said

That money had to have gone somewhere. If someone had pocketed it, it's only right for the Taxpayers to know who swindled it. If someone is at fault, the Government will identify them. It matters little what that community leader says. 90 million dollars and that place looks worse than a downtown junkyard! How does that happen? That community should be thriving by now. No one's blaming the village itself, someone's blaming the one who was given the money and didn't use it properly.

Prof. Pye Chartt
said

Attawapiskat First Nation Chief Theresa Spence has minimal credibility in my mind. Her relationship with the appointed co-manager of the community's finances raises obvious questions. (Her reactionary handling of CTV's Danielle Hamamdjian's questions surrounding travel expenses, which she initially denied, was, to me, telling.) Ultimately, a brand new Zamboni sits at the local ice rink. A priority? In 1996, a new Attawapiskat school was committed to. The old one still stands, as the new one still isn't built... $10M in federal funds later. Does this mean that it's all her and First Nation people's fault? No. My understanding is that 30 federal departments in Canada have dealings with our First Nation people. Ridiculous. The resulting dependency is shameful. First Nation people have not demonstrated that they can govern themselves, and our federal government has long demonstrated that it truly doesn't care. The whole mess is a pathetic national embarrassment.

John
said

What a crock of BS by Angus! This is typical NDP propaganda. Only an idiot would spout what he is spouting. How can anyone believe you can't have decent housing for $91,000,000 for aprox 2200 people. His solution is to just give another bag of cash and not have to justify where it goes. How can the chief not admit there is a conflict of interest when she is living with the person controlling the money. I can't speak for all Canadians but I pay taxes and want to know where the $91,000,000 went more than the $80,000 that was spent on a helicopter ride for an MP.

Lisa
said

If my math is right this pencils out to 10 000 per person per year. (90 000 000/5 years/1800 people= 10 000 per person. What is this money intended to cover? Is this amount comperable to what is being spent in other areas of canada? Is this strictly for infrastructure?

Derek
said

Blaming is NOT pointless, someone needs to be held accountable. 90 million over 5 years is a huge number. According to statistics there are 217 houses in the community, so if all the houses were to be replaced at, say, 400 thousand each, we still are a few million short of 90. Where did that money go?!

J.C.
said

I don't think the question is whether or not the funds were taken etc., I think the question is accountibility of what the funds are used for in regards to the amount and whether the appropriate funds arrived in the first place. The government cannot just dole out more money as the NDP want them to do. They have to be sure of whether it is absolutely necessary or not. They then need oversight to ensure it goes to where it is most needed and I'm not sure that a hockey arena or Zamboni should be purchased before housing needs are met. There are priorities that should come first. I also believe that the provincial governments need to improve transportation in the north so that the costs of getting goods north could be less costly. This would benefit natives as well as non natives and would encourage more tourism etc. in northern areas which would benefit all as well. The province of Ontario has been very lax in this department. They need to wake up and do their part!! I personally would love to be able to drive to the very north of Ontario, and not just to the northwestern section but all of Ontario.

Paul
said

This is a National Disgrace and should not be happening in this day and age. Harper and his cronies fail time and time again to realize that it costs quite a substantial amount of monies to ship supplies to Northern Communities, with the logistics of it being a perpetual nightmare. Perhaps it is time for Harper and his cronies to live in these communities to get a better understanding of their plights, instead of blaming and finger pointing at them. Only then will they understand the necessities... when they themselves are in want and need.

Getr real!
said

There is no way a small community could spend 90 million in 5 years. Where has this money gone? I had to move away from my home town to get a job, why are these people staying in a dead end community? Be the change you want to see in the world, don't just continue the cycle of ignorance.

Keith
said

I want to know where all this money went!. Being from North Western Ontario myself living clothes reserves, know they waste tons of money and scam the government. Hell I know in the winter if they were too lazy to get firewood, they would take apart the walls of their house to burn, knowing they'd get money in the summer to repair it all. Some northern reserves in the North even lie about how many people live in the reserves. Some that say they have a few hundred actually have like 10-15 people actually staying on the reserve... And yes I have seen this first hand.... The bands waste thousands maybe even hundreds of thousands on flights all summer, but they don't care the Fed's will give them more money.... Cut them off already. No other people in Canada get such a free ride as the Native peoples.

joe elias
said

Angus said 'Attawapiskat is one of a number of northern communities that have been ignored by Ottawa...' If funding of $90 million over 5 years translates into 'ignoring' I hate to think what kind of money the NDP thinks is sufficient.

Typically Liberal but...
said

I am typically a liberal. A bit socialist too I suppose. I hate seeing people suffer. I believe in being there to help our fellow man. I believe "All we have to fear is the indifference of otherwise good men." But, in this case I agree Harper is going in the right direction. We cant continue to dump money into the first nations when the status quo is so blatantly abused. It time for the first nations to start looking after themselves and stop blaming Europeans for things that happened well before our lifetimes. If it were me there, first thing I would do is get off may ass, build shelter, away form the open sewage. Maybe clean things up a bit. Make the most of what is there. First Nations need to start doing for themselves. And if they are going to act like children that cant take care of themselves or properly manage themselves its time to take the privilege of free unmanaged money away from them and put that responsibility in the hands of those that can get the job done. In the meantime any first nations that can't look after themselves could join the Armed forces and get some training and discipline and take that back to the reserves to provide leadership and further the first nations society.

Steph
said

I would call for a public inquiry asking that both government and reserves across this country open their books and sort this mess out for once and for all. Too much money from the taxpayers has been thrown in this bottomless barrel already.

inmyopinion
said

I don't think the chief should carry on as if the natives are blameless victims. They have had large sums of money, they have portables for schools, no clean water, unfit homes.... so I ask where those funds went? Don't carry on like not one of these basic infrastructures could not of been completed with that large amount of money. Third party management seems to be the only answer, and I hope there is someone overseeing the third party. Enough of the magically disappearing money syndrome. And if there are so many other communities with the same problems...... third party them too! Governments mistake was sending money with no oversight, guidelines and expectations.... might as well of had a money burning party.

tiredofthis
said

Surprise, Surprise, once again its everyone elses fault. Time for the First Nation People to start taking some resposibilty for their problems. It's always poor pitiful me. Time to get ride of reserves. This is Canada, one country, one people.

10-78
said

Can the native community ever except any responsibility for their failed state? They insist on being independent from the rest of Canada and running their own NATION but can't do any of it without the tax payer dollars of the rest of Canada. They have free medical care, free education, tax free income and yet can still not break their cycle of poverty and social failure. What more could possibly be done on the part of Canadian's to give them an advantage?

Dave in Courtenay
said

In Canada, we think we have the right to live wherever we chose. That is correct, with the proviso that we have the right to live wherever we can afford to live. I do not expect the taxpayers of Canada to subsidize my choice if it is beyond my capacity to pay. Many remote communities have no capacity to generate the economics to bring their living standards up to urban technological levels. Either such capacity should be created or they should move. If you live in the bush, you will not get Toronto living amenities.

Questions
said

When looking at the images of the shacks, the houses in the background appear to be not bad looking. So, the question would have to be, "why are these people living in shacks?" These issues didn't happen in the last 5 years. Is there no type of industry that can be developed on the reservations to provide people with work? How about training in construction, plumbing and electrical as well as education, nursing and doctors? Since the Treaties over a century ago, there must have been all types of opportunities! What do First Nations People have to pay to go to University? There are Band leaders who are promoting education and integration to their members and they are very successful. What qualifications are required to be a Band leader? There are so many unanswered questions.

Shane
said

There should be an investigation into both sides of how things got so bad. For these people and all other communities living out of reach of normal transportation. If we as a country want to claim that the whole of our northern reach is actively used and we "own" the northern passages then we should fully support those whom choose to live in the areas. Certainly we will take all the resources found and fold them into our economy. It does seem like a good idea to find out who spent what where and if they were given the proper funding or not. Would it not? And are there not groups and aid being given and brought up now? Or has this investigation stopped the aid while they look into the mess the Gov allowed to happen?(whom ever was at fault)

Mark J.
said

If I gave my son money for university tuition and living expenses, then found out he wasn't going to school and was living in poor conditions, it would be perfectly fair of me to ask, "What happened to the money I gave you?" It wouldn't be blaming the victim, and I certainly wouldn't throw a ton of money his way without finding out what's been going on.

Matt - Edmonton AB
said

This just proves that the First Nations of Canada are taking advantage of a corrupt system. The government needs to abolish all of the old treaties and make every citizen of our country work for what they have. I didn't have anything to do with the settlers of this country abusing the First Nations, nor did any First Nations person still alive today. What is in the past should be left there. I'm sick and tired of hearing about this that and the other reserve having issues every year. Maybe if they actually had to work for what they get, instead of having a hand out they would appreciate it more and not destroy everything they have.

Real Leadership
said

Time for Harper and the Conservatives to realize that they are the government and work with others to solve problems. They need to show real leadership and provide the funding, training and other help required to fix this issue. Their constant excuses, ass covering, spin and rhetoric are getting really tiresome. If they can't get the job done, they should resign.

Jack Marsh
said

This is a circumstance where I would blame the victim. I'm sorry, but the evidence seems to be pointing in that directions. I grew up in a community of 1,000 people and we had been given $90 million in grants over 5 years, our community would be sparkling. This reserve is a joke and the leadership is failing to take responsibility for its own mismanagement and incompetency.

Rob
said

Charlie Angus is a national disgrace. This guy exemplifies why the NDP is so out of touch with reality. If he is so concerned about what Canadians think about this whole thing , he should listen more carefully. Accountability is part of the equation. This is the typical attitude of the NDP, fraud is justified, no questions asked. This Chief Spence lady should be charged with fraud period. She is been playing her own people for years. Shame on her!!

George_S
said

There is another story about to break. Since 2006, the Harper Government, the Ontario Government and T.O City Hall has spent hundreds of billions of dollars (if not a trillion) of the taxpayers money on a city that just doesn't work the way it should.

Jay
said

Every year the Federal Government spends hundreds of millions of dollars in these areas with no strings attached. Yet these people continue to live in squalor. This is not so much a 'blame the victim' issue (and is 'victim' the right term?) so much as it is a legitimate question of "what have you done with all the money we already gave you?" When you rely on any third party (including government) for your sustenance, you must eventually become accountable to that third party for how you use what has been given to you, especially when you ask for more.

Colin
said

Now I'm no expert but this community is given millions of dollars by the federal government. Do the people of the community only rely on this as their only income or do they work also? To live in my home, buy food and pay bills I work very hard. Do they only rely on the income from the government to provide all of that?

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Labour Minister Lisa Raitt speaks in the House of Commons in Ottawa on Monday, May 28, 2012. (Adrian Wyld / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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