OTTAWA - The troubled native community of Attawapiskat says it has major problems with the federal government's offer of evacuation and 15 new modular homes, and is countering with its own proposals.In a letter to the minister of aboriginal affairs, Attawapiskat's chief, Theresa Spence, says the 15 homes offered are not enough; her community needs 22.
Spence is demanding that Minister John Duncan rescind his decision to place her reserve under third-party management � a decision that removes the band's power over its finances and usually indicates deep financial problems.
And she says there is no way her band will pay such a third-party manager to take over, although they will agree to a full audit going back five years as requested by Duncan.
The Canadian Press revealed Thursday that the government appointee will be paid about $1,300 a day, with the money coming from the band's administration budget.
"My community will not consider third party managers nor pay for them out of our already depressed band support funding budget," Spence writes in all caps to stress the band's adamance.
Instead, the government should simply stick to its plan to have an independent, comprehensive audit of the $90 million Ottawa has transferred to the band over the last five years, she suggests.
As for the evacuation suggested this week for the 25 families deemed most poorly housed in the remote James Bay community, Spence says thanks but probably no thanks.
"I must consult with the families involved, however I think their preference has been to remain in the community," she writes.
Instead, the families will most likely choose a different option put forward by the federal government: to retrofit a nearby healing centre for temporary shelter.
Plus, Spence says the federal plan ignores the fact that about 90 people are living in substandard conditions in a large construction trailer � a situation that cannot persist.
An inspection of the trailer uncovered deficiencies, and now Spence says she has to hire a firm to cost out how much it will cost to repair.
"Repairs and some upgrades are necessary as it is the only place we have as temporary housing," she writes. "It is anything but ideal and should indicate how desperate our community is in need of housing."
Spence also lashes out at comments made in the House of Commons, and the media about her band's ability to manage the community's finances.
This week, Prime Minister Stephen Harper stated bluntly that the band's money had been mismanaged.
The comments have led to a "misunderstanding" within her community, she said. The chief pointed out that the band's finances are audited regularly, and the audits are posted publicly.
"For the record, our audits have been filed with your department for these years and on average the per capita funding level ranges from $9,000 to $12,000 over this time frame and is not the $50,000 as reported by the Prime Minister," the letter states.
A spokeswoman for Duncan says the minister is reviewing the response and is hopeful they will all find a way to work together.
"We will be reviewing her response and we are very hopeful that we can move forward together in the best interests of the people of Attawapiskat," said spokesman Michelle Yao.
The federal government has already bought the 15 new modular homes for Attawapiskat, which will likely be delivered around the end of January when the winter road to the community is solid enough to handle heavy cargo.
Earlier Friday, Duncan's office said Ottawa is paying for the houses up front, but if the third-party manager eventually finds excess money in the band's allocated housing budget, the cash will go towards the new homes.
The houses themselves will cost about $1.2 million, not including transportation.
Spence raised the alarm over a shortage of adequate housing in Attawapiskat in October, as winter was setting in. While the government is gearing up its response now, the Red Cross has been flying in supplies for the last 10 days.
The aid organization said Friday that the vulnerable families of Attawapiskat now seem to have enough supplies to ensure they don't freeze in the near future.
The agency stopped collecting donations for Attawapiskat as of Friday because it now has enough money� nearly $300,000 from donors in Canada � to provide for all the immediate needs of the 25 most vulnerable families, said Karen Snider, speaking by phone from Attawapiskat.
"We've brought the supplies that they need to help get them through the winter," she said, listing sleeping bags, heaters, durable winter clothing, 200 fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, bed frames, mattresses, cots and insulation for the families' wood-frame tents and shacks.
Plus, the government is flying in renovation materials for five existing houses, as well as composting toilets, 20 wood stoves and other supplies for families living in shacks or tents.
Still, native leaders, opposition parties and now human-rights and faith-based groups point out that Attawapiskat is only one of dozens of First Nations communities where housing is dilapidated, overcrowded contributing to poor health.
"International human-rights bodies have been raising concerns for years about the conditions in many indigenous communities in Canada," Amnesty International and other groups said in a recent statement.
"The government has ignored both the criticism and the corresponding recommendations."
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Source: Huff
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