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.