Attawapiskat Housing Crises 2011
The First Nation Canadian community Attawapiskat (population 2000) declared a state of emergency on October 28, 2011. Attawapiskat is a Cree community located along the Attawapiskat River, inland from the James Bay coastline in Northern Ontario. Attawapiskat is run by a Chief and Band Council that are part of the larger Mushkegowuk Council. Chief Theresa Spence of the Attawapiskat First Nation stated at the time of the declaration that, “it really is a crisis we are facing. We are in a third world situation.” The state of emergency came as winter approached, risking the lives of residents living in shacks without proper heat and running water.
