APTN National News
First Nations MPs offered starkly different takes on the unfolding crisis in the Cree community of Attawapiskat.
Saskatchewan MP Rob Clarke, who is from the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, said Attawapiskat was in a crisis of their own making.
“I have seen what’s taken place in my services and on my reserve where I have lived and worked,” said Clarke, who is a former RCMP officer. “And what I have seen take place is very troubling. I don’t think the funding is being utilized, there are millions of dollars not being used, but I put the question back to the First (Nation) leaders and members to make their communities and leaders accountable.”
Quebec NDP MP and leadership candidate Romeo Saganash, who is Cree, said it’s unfair to blame the community when they’re grappling with exploding demographics with funding that doesn’t keep up.
“Given the fastest growing population and given the high cost of housing up north-the cost to build a house in Attawapiskat and northern Quebec or Nunavik, which is my riding, is more than $200,000 per house-there needs to be a clear understanding of what the situation is and determine where to go from there,” said Saganash. “I don’t think that’s happening right now. It’s just blaming the First Nations ‘oh they are mismanaging their money.'”
the truth is somewhere in the middle – its up to the people to dig it out and kick it up a notch, don’t let the Band Council buy your votes, if monies are missing, initiate a Community Referendum to hold Councils accountable, make sure elections are truthfully run and tallied by a third party, so much to do…..