Government Offers to Evacuate Attawapiskat

The community considers its options as the NDP recommends flying in the military.

The federal government has offered to airlift families living in tents and shacks in the native community of Attawapiskat until proper homes can be constructed for them. That's one of two options Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan presented to Attawapiskat's leadership yesterday as the reserve waits for the arrival of 15 modular homes that will house the most needy of Attawapiskat's residents. Duncan also suggested that the first nation retrofit their healing centre and sportsplex to house families in the interim, as plunging temperatures will make those shacks and tents essentially uninhabitable over the winter. Attawapiskat's leaders have yet to respond. The NDP has suggested flying in the military to help construct new homes. All in all, these appear to be much more productive discussions than the finger-pointing that characterized the crisis for the past two weeks.