No School for Kids in Canada, Take Action! (Part II)
The story of Attawapiskat with its water contamination issues, housing and educational problems can indeed be overwhelming if one looks at the little that has been done in the past years in respect to what needs to be done. Yet, this is a matter that affects many people; people and children in particular, whose human rights are indeed neglected by the Federal Government of Canada. Thus, to pursue a course of action to better the conditions of the children living in Attawapiskat, Ontario is simply the right thing to do.
The promises made by different Ministers of Indian Affairs regarding the building of a public school in Attawapiskat over the course of many decades now, have been empty promises which lacked the will and support of people and politicians in particular. Considering that the community is located in a somewhat remote area of Ontario, Canada it seems that either the cry of the children for a new school is not heard or not listened to. Therefore, there is an urgent need to increase awareness on this issue and let those who represent us in government know that we do care about the conditions in which Canadian children attend school.
Anyone and everyone can help by
supporting this cause, simply by signing an online petition at: http://www.fncfcs.com/shannensdream/sign-up.
This only takes a minute, literally and it costs nothing (except that minute).
On the same website there is also information on how one can make a monetary contribution if that is a possibility. There are also more details to this story which I have not mentioned in my: http://hubpages.com/hub/No-School-for-the-Forgotten-Children-of-Attawapiskat-Ontario, article. Ultimately, anyone can help just by speaking about this matter to their friends, family members, co-workers and anyone else that might care about children.
Considering that for Canada this is an election year, politicians will listen to their constituency a little more attentively than in the majority of the time in office. This is a time when they are worried about their careers and want to please voters. With that in mind, if anyone does have some time to email, telephone or visit their local MP’s office, please do so. Fiscal year 2010-2011 is ending soon. Canadians will have a new budget to look at. Will it include money for a school in Attawapiskat or will it only include billions of dollars for fighter jets? We must let those who represent us in office know what we care about.
The Ministry of Indian and Northern Affairs can and should be contacted at: CNAP-NACC@ainc-inac.gc.ca. That is the government agency which should have corrected this problem over thirty years ago. Some, who work in that department, like Mr. John Duncan the Conservative pick for the office of Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, do not seem to care about kids in Canada but perhaps other people do.
Motion 571 (http://www.fncfcs.com/shannensdream/motion-571), presented by NDP Charlie Angus needs to be supported as well. All children deserve a minimum standard to the quality of the education that they receive. That is not the case yet. If possible also ask your local MP to support this cause. Children need a good level of education in a welcoming environment, especially at the public school level.
This matter needs all the support it can receive and all the help is greatly appreciated. For too long have the needs of the people in Attawapiskat been ignored and neglected. This is not a Native American issue, this is a children s' issue and a very troubling one to say the least.
Related
Comments
AUTHORGreetings NorthernONTeacher,
In my first article about the school issue in Attawapiskat (http://mrhappy.hubpages.com/hub/No-School-for-the-... I briefly mentioned how: "The portables in which kids go to school are in a deplorable state: gusts of wind are coming from underneath the doors, there are ventilation problems and recently a grade two teacher slipped down the stairs and injured her back." - The situation is troublesome for teachers and students when it comes to the learning environment.
An interesting fact when I was there, was that hardly any teachers opened the door to me. The ones who were kind enough to do so and invited me in, all asked not to be quoted in writing but told me that their teaching is always interfered with by people within the community and they cannot say much because they can be booted-out of the Reserve within twenty-four hours through a Band Council Resolution.
Thus, teachers who live off the reserve or are not of the First Nations, tend to be quiet about what goes on the Reserves. I disagree with this tactic but that is just my opinion. I think people should always speak-out when they see injustices, corruption and such.
Thank You for passing-by and leaving a comment. Cheers!
Is anyone even talking about the working conditions for teachers in Attawapiskat? This is where the comments should be targeted since it is through the dedication of hard working individuals that positive results would show. Also, the high school has serious problems with their Principal who is a bully and very abusive toward the Staff. hurt people hurt people.
- AUTHOR
Thank you so much Mr. DynamicS! Everyone counts and every child matters.
Mr. Mickey, your words are always humbling. Thank you.
Another great post Mr. Happy. I appreciate your heart! God bless you!
Mr Happy, as a fellow Canadian, I will be signing the petition immediately after I leave this comment.
it is disgraceful how the aboriginal population is treated in North America.
YOu don't have to be a published writer to send out a press release on-line. See my hub on writing press releases. (Excuse the self promotion.) By the way, did you get an email re the book? I'm trying out an automated system -- talk about frustrating -- and I'd love to hear back and know it worked. Lynda
- AUTHOR
Mr. Junko, thank you for the words of encouragement and support. I appreciate it. I'm not on fire yet, if I do go on fire I will do it in front of the Parliament in Ottawa.
Mrs. Immartin, thank you so much for taking the time to help-out; many thanks!
I have sent the story (http://hubpages.com/hub/No-School-for-the-Forgotte... to the Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star. I also sent an email to the CBC asking them to do a follow-up story and an email to a reporter at Global News.
I visited Mr. Charlie Angus' office in Timmins, Ontario and that of Bob Ray, here in Toronto. I am going back to the latter's office tomorrow or Tuesday. I sent three letters to the Ministry of Northern and Indian Affairs and they are proving to be very unhelpful by the response received.
The Ministry of Children and Youth Services is not willing to touch this issue. They sent me back to the Ministry of Northern and Indian Affairs. I just got contact information for someone at the Ministry of Health. I will try my luck there as well.
I have written to different organizations as well, such as the Holmes Group, the Belinda Stronach Foundation and to the De Beers Group who operates Ontario's only diamond mine on Cree territory about a hundred kilometers north of Attawapiskat (they have a Social Development Branch).
I'm trying ... haven't thought about press releases though - I'm not a published journalist or anything. Most people look at me and think I am really nuts when I start talking about this story (especially because I am not Native) ...
I have passed this on to everyone I know in social services, government and journalists across Canada. I hope this bears some fruit. Good job and keep up the good work. Have you thought of preparing a press release announcing these article? (There's many free sites on the Internet and you never know...) Lynda
Do the best you can and keep faith in what you are doing. Sometimes I know you feel discouraged but keep on keeping on. There are people that know about what you are doing and how long you have been doing it. Soon and very soon these people will help you because it is God's will that you do God's will. You seem on fire for those Attawapiskat children, keep the light on and don't stop writing.
- AUTHOR
Mr. Junko, I just try to generally do the right thing - that's all. Thank you for stopping by.
Mrs. Darlene, I am not a Native American but I am Native. I trace my ancestry thousands of years back, to the Thracian (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thracians) tribes of what is now known as Easter Europe. We are people of the mountains (Carpathian Mountains). I honor Mother Earth and the Great Spirit! Thus, I am Native American at heart.
What you said about the government is so true, sad but true. Thank you so much for your support and kind words! All the best.
My Dear Friend, are you a native Indian? I support what you are doing whole heartedly and will contuie to do so. I write much about the native americans on my hubs and I love and support your way of life. The government has never keep any promises for you and concider you a seperate state and not citizens, which is insane...but the government never keeps their promises. Good Luch, love & light darski rate up
Thanks for the comment, It improved my hub. I'm new at this and was linkless.
You're a good man happy. You're doing God's work. good hub.
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