I am pleased you posted this for discussion. I picked this item up from a friend on Facebook yesterday and she posted a link to an article "What if they Declared and Emergency and No one Came" . I don't know anything specific about the situation but I hope some folks who have first hand knowledge will contribute to the discussion.  

I also sent a Tweet to draw some attention to this article and sent a broadcast to PTSC-Online members which will hopefully generate some comments. 

http://netnewsledger.com/2011/11/23/three-weeks-since-attawapiskat-declared-a-state-of-emergency/

This was posted yesturday on netnewsledger.com.  The youtube video showing the conditions is terrible and very hard to watch.  I can't believe this hasn't been more on the radar, I haven't seen one word about this crisis until know.

I'm sure that all levels of government (and some NGOs) have been working with the First Nations involved to find a solution.

At the request of the community, the Canadian Red Cross has taken on a donation management role. Canadians wishing to support immediate needs can give through the Red Cross.

Donations to this fund will be used to support the immediate needs of families in Attawapiskat including the provision of supplies such as heaters, blankets, generators, winter clothing and insulated sleeping mats. Financial donations may be made online at www.redcross.ca, by calling 1-800-418-1111 or contact your local Canadian Red Cross office. Cheques should be made payable to the Canadian Red Cross, earmarked "Attawapiskat" and mailed to the Canadian Red Cross, Ontario Zone, 5700 Cancross Court, Mississauga, ON, L5R 3E9. 

Very interesting to see how this is playing out. Huge amounts of confusion. Even more finger-pointing.  Does the issue lie with the Band? Does the issue lie with the Federal Gov't?  And then I stumbled upon this:  http://apihtawikosisan.wordpress.com/2011/11/30/dealing-with-comments-about-attawapiskat/    With SCADS of VERY interesting information - I strongly suggest all to review.  

That's a great link Melissa, to a voice that too often is not heard in discussions of First Nation related incidents.

Thanks Melissa, Steve Jason and Barry for your contributions to this discussion and Melissa, I agree with Barry the link in your comment is excelent. Whatever the root cause it certainly does not speak well for the organizations with assigned responsibilities for this situation. How many other instances do we have of things going off the rails. 

A bit of an update from the Canadian Red Cross efforts in Attawapiskat as follows: The most effective way to support the needs in Attawapiskat is through a financial donation. This will avoid unnecessary costs such as transportation and will ensure that the Red Cross is able to secure the most needed and appropriate items quickly and effectively based on needs assessments and discussions with the community.  While well-intentioned, the Red Cross does not accept donations of goods. 

Thanks to the generosity of Canadians, donations have enabled supplies to reach the community already and more shipments are scheduled for the coming days. 

An interesting twist to the events. Just picked this link to an article up on Twitter reporting the Attawapiskat Chief may be filing an injunction to keep the Federally appointed third party manager out. Here is a link to the article.  I am sure there is more to this than meets the eye and my experience tells me to be suspect of what I read in the media because reported facts may be far from the truth. 

If the report is correct, it is disappointing that those involved with trying to correct the situation are not working together more effectively. Sounds to me like too much politics and not enough focus on the real problems.  I am hoping someone with firsthand knowledge can provide some insights. 

Just added a link to a related article. 

There are many elements not considered by all of us "armchair umpires". I have had some contacts with personnel at both the provincial and federal levels. The issues exist on all sides - the Band, Queen's Park and Ottawa. The plan to help the First Nations help themselves is not iron-clad. As with many large scale projects there must be more accountability. The fixes can be quite simple and lasting if all parties cooperate.

Mike

I attended Cheif Theresa Spence's talk in Ottawa on Wednesday (link below).  There is certainly rhetoric, gamesmanship and mistrust on all sides, as well as caring, hope and honest efforts all catalogued above.

I believe a huge issue with Attawapiskat and many other remote First Nations communities is a severe lack of social and professional infrastructure.  We've heard much on the social side, but on the professional side with low educational and vocational attainment there is a derth of skilled individuals with knowledge and experience in project management, finance, business acumen, etc. that is required to properly manage the projects to a successful completion.  This view was supported by an employee of the Ontario Clean Water Agency I sat beside who detailed some of the challenges of ensuring the successful implementation of water / waste water systems in remote communities.  The goal is for self sufficiency in long term operation but one huge challenge (among many) is building the necessary professional base to sustain it.

An additional fear... Both on the way up to Ottawa and on the return I heard news stories about new aid, programs and philothropic ventures planned for Attawapsiskat.  We'll get them looked after, but what of the other 150 in Ontario and 600 across Canada? Will this rush to assist and fix silence the plight of many others?

  (http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1121422--attawapiskat-chief-wants-share-of-revenues-from-nearby-diamond-mine)