Condemned Attawapiskat trailer to be repaired for winter housing, despite First Nation concerns

Rather than proceed with Attawapiskat’s proposal to send displaced community members to southern communities for the winter, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development of Canada (AANDC) says it will fund the repair of a trailer complex that was previously condemned due to mould.
Attawapiskat Acting Chief Christine Kataquapit said AANDC told the First Nation that the plan to send residents to municipalities like Moosonee, Timmins and Kapuskasing for the winter season would cost “too much” for the federal department.
Instead, the federal government will provide $300,000 to repair the ATCO trailer complex that housed about 100 residents until it was condemned due to mould by the Mushkegowuk Tribal Council.
Currently, about 50 people remain in the trailers while most who had to leave due to health concerns are either staying at the community healing lodge or with family. A small number are staying with family in Moosonee for the winter season.
Kataquapit said the funds committed to repair the trailers are “not enough.”
“Especially if you consider the cost of materials and to bring them up,” she said.
AANDC spokesperson Michelle Perron said while they had “informal discussions of temporary relocation” with the First Nation, AANDC did not receive a plan to relocate residents outside of the community.
In October 2012, AANDC offered up to $300,000 in assistance and support for upgrades and repairs that the First Nation “feels are necessary to ensure that (the) ATCO trailer complex can provide warm, safe shelter this winter,” Perron said in an e-mail to Wawatay News. “The community accepted this offer.”
Perron added that in 2011-2012, AANDC provided $133,963 for repairs and upgrades to the ATCO trailer complex. AANDC also invested $526,879 in the ATCO trailer complex for the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 fiscal years.
Along with repairing the mould-infected rooms, some rooms will need to be modified to make them suitable for families. Some electrical and plumbing repairs are also required.
Overall, Kataquapit said the residents are not pleased with the living arrangements of the complex.
“We’re frustrated,” she said. “Especially with the trailers that are not in the condition for families. It’s just a construction camp.”
Debeers Canada, which donated the trailers to the community in 2009, has offered to provide a project manager to help reduce costs.
Kataquapit said the manager is assessing the trailers to see what immediate repairs can be done so that they are “useable” by Christmas.
A working group consisting of community members is coordinating the efforts between the First Nation, Debeers Canada, Mushkegowuk and AANDC.