The remains of a Canadian flag can be seen flying over a building in Attawapiskat, Ont., on November 29, 2011.The chief of a remote northern Ontario First Nation says more young people have attempted to take their lives. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

 

Attawapiskat is receiving almost 2,000 hectare of land to build new home from the government.

It’s to help construct 100 houses by 2021 but MP, Charlie Angus says this process took far too long  – with families basically living on top of each other.

“There’s a massive backlog in houses to be built.  We had a whole rent-to-own plan so people could pay to have the houses built but once we deal with the housing crisis other aspects get fixed too.”

Meanwhile the Liberals are looking to fast track the approval process for the land transfer.  Angus says it shouldn’t take a crisis to finally get movement on the issue.

“The community has felt the frustration.  It’s taken years for both levels of government to sit down to transfer some land to build a new subdivision.  There’s so many hoops to jump through to to help the community.”

Chief Bruce Shisheesh, left, Minister of Indigenous Affairs Carolyn Bennett, centre, and Federal NDP MPP Charlie Angus, right, meet in the northern Ontario First Nations reserve of Attawapiskat, Ont., in an April 16, 2016, file photo. Two cabinet ministers will speak at the United Nations in New York City today about the government's approach to indigenous affairs, but grave conditions on a northern Ontario reserve have prompted the NDP's indigenous affairs critic to cancel his attendance as part of the Canadian delegation. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

“The pressure and from the young people and community shows their boiling point has force both levels of government to wake up. ”

Chief Bruce Shisheesh says he’s pleased with the news adding his people are finally getting the recognition and respect they deserve.

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