Monday, November 28, 2011

Politicians pass the buck while Canadian Indians turn to Red Cross for help

A few weeks ago the leadership of the Attawapiskat First Nation in Canada declared a state of emergency in their community. Many of the residents of Attawapiskat live in tents. The rest of them live in uninsulated shacks without running water.

Winter is almost upon the isolated community, which can see the temperature fall to the -20 to -40 range for extended periods of time. Chief Theresa Spence is understandably concerned that many of her people will freeze to death within months.

Ontario's Minister of Aboriginal Affairs Kathleen Wynne, in whose province Attawapiskat is located, feigns outrage over the situation but reminds us that this is a Federal responsiblility.

The Federal Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, John Duncan, who like most members of the Harper cabinet is most at home jet-setting around the word lecturing others on the importance of human rights, implies that it's the Indians' fault. He's sending people to the community, not to bring desperately needed assistance, but to find out what the irresponsible natives have been doing with all the "substantial funding" the government has been lavishing on them.

Meanwhile, here's the Environment Canada weather forecast for Attawapiskat tonight; -14 degrees with snow flurries.

Every Canadian should be outraged.

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