Have You Heard of Attawapiskat?

[shanmonster]

Less than 24 hours ago, I found out about Attawapiskat, a First Nations settlement in northern Ontario. They declared a state of emergency almost a month ago. They are lacking the basic necessities for life: water and sufficient shelter. They are also lacking other things that Canadians take for granted: access to a school for their children. They haven't had a school for twelve years.

It's cold now. And in the next few weeks, especially that far north, it's going to get colder. A lot colder. And yet there are families living in uninsulated tents. People are sick because they don't have clean water, sick because there's not enough water to clean themselves, and burned and scalded from being in too-close proximity to makeshift wood stoves in tents and shacks. It is only a matter of time before some of these homes burn down (if it hasn't happened already).

Though they've requested emergency assistance, the government has not given aid. The Ontario government has effectively shrugged and said, not my problem. In Manitoba, not so long ago, when a First Nations community ravaged by the H1N1 virus requested emergency aid, they were sent body bags. The message is clear: shut up and die, already.

That people live in such squalor anywhere is horrible. That it is happening in a country as rich and well-educated as Canada makes it especially horrific.

I am not an especially good organizer, or a politician. I am not rich. But I want to help. I just don't know how or where to begin. So what I can do in the meantime is this: I can spread the word, and hope that someone who is in a position of power will learn about this and help these people.

I intend on writing to various MPs, to newspaper editors, and starting a petition to increase awareness of this dire situation. I would appreciate some help with this. I would jump at the chance of helping with a fundraiser. They need immediate help just to survive, and require same basic rights and resources accorded to other Canadians.

The information I've been able to find is limited, but here are a couple of relevant articles.

What if They Declared an Emergency and No One Came?

Still waiting in Attawapiskat

Despite federal promises, First Nations' water problems persist

If you have experience drafting petitions, will you please help? Thank you.

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EDIT:

Specific spot found:

To send donations directly to Attawapiskat:
Mrs. Rosie Koostachin, Receiver/Deliver for Attawapiskat Donations, Community Volunteer
P.O. Box 112
Attawapiskat, ON P0L 1A0
(705) 997- 2455

Comments

[miraba.livejournal.com]

If you find a place to send money, I'd like to know about it.

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

It's not specific to Attawapiskat, but this is one place: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=s93001

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

Specific spot found:

To send donations directly to Attawapiskat:
Mrs. Rosie Koostachin, Receiver/Deliver for Attawapiskat Donations, Community Volunteer
P.O. Box 112
Attawapiskat, ON P0L 1A0
(705) 997- 2455

[zaphy.livejournal.com]

Echoing the comment about sending money, if there's a known place.

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

It's not specific to Attawapiskat, but this is one place: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=s93001

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

Specific spot found:

To send donations directly to Attawapiskat:
Mrs. Rosie Koostachin, Receiver/Deliver for Attawapiskat Donations, Community Volunteer
P.O. Box 112
Attawapiskat, ON P0L 1A0
(705) 997- 2455

[zaphy.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Spreading the word.

[zydee.livejournal.com]

WTF, I thought Canada gave free houses and stuff to their First Nations folks. That is disgraceful :( If you do find something specific to that community, please to link a sista. I wish I had some advice or could help with a petition--I don't even know where one would start there.

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

Specific spot found:

To send donations directly to Attawapiskat:
Mrs. Rosie Koostachin, Receiver/Deliver for Attawapiskat Donations, Community Volunteer
P.O. Box 112
Attawapiskat, ON P0L 1A0
(705) 997- 2455

Registered Nurses of Ontario Appeal - PETITION/Form letter to Prime minister

[veritate.livejournal.com]

Your post has struck me to the core and several days after reading it, I'm still constantly thinking about how warm and clean I am, compared to those poor families.

I tweeted about this and urged others to do the same - trends on social networks sometimes get attention in the news.

Someone tweeted back and gave me this link:

http://www.rnao.org/Page.asp?PageID=122&ContentID=3622&SiteNodeID=403&BL_ExpandID=

It's a petition and letter on behalf of the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario.

Re: True North Aid - Organizing a shipment to Attawapiskat

[veritate.livejournal.com]

This aid organziation has been sending things to the community since before the declaration of State of Emergency.

This is their newest appeal (Posted Nov. 25)

http://truenorthaid.ca/2011-11-25/459

Secure Paypal Donations. Rosie Koostachin recommends working with them via her facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=123153503410&v=info

Re: Canadian Red Cross organizing donations

[veritate.livejournal.com]

Article about the recent Red Cross commitment to help. (http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2011/11/26/attawapiskat-reserve-red-cross-canada-emergency_n_1114208.html#undefined)

And place to donate via the Red Cross (http://www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=41676&tid=001).