Attawapiskat residents remain loyal to the troubled community - Action News
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IndigenousCBC IN ATTAWAPISKAT

Attawapiskat residents remain loyal to the troubled community

Former prime minister Jean Chrtien mused that some residents of Attawapiskat might have to leave. But residents say they are committed to the troubled First Nations community near James Bay.

Many feel a deep attachment to the land; others would leave if they could, but it's not so easy

Jerry Nakogee says he would never leave Attawapiskat, and that residents in the northern Ontario town must face its problems instead of running away. (Mark Gollom/CBC)

At Jerry Nakogee's camp, where dozens of Attawapiskat youths have gathered for an evening bonfire, the longtime resident, who says his son recently attempted to kill himself, explains why he would never leave the remote First Nations reserve.

"When you grow up in a small community, you adapt to the community. You just can't leave, just like that," saidNakogee, who used his camp to host the youthcommunity event."You can't run away from big problems. You have to deal with them. There's always a way to deal with problems like this."

Earlier, over atNate's, a small trailer converted into a makeshift snack bar, BarryKoostachinsaidthat the remote northern Ontario First Nation may have itsproblems, but quite simply, it's home.

"We're connected to the land,"Koostachinsaid. "It's quiet here. [The city] is too dangerous for me."

Theircomments,like many others in the town, could be considereda gentle rebuketo the recent musings of JeanChrtien.

On Tuesday, speaking to reporters on Parliament Hill, the former prime ministersuggested that because of thedireeconomic climate facingAttawapiskatresidents, some may want to consider moving,"like anybody else" in similar circumstances.
Barry Koostachin says the remote First Nation near James Bay may have its problems, but the residents are connected to the land (Mark Gollom/CBC)

"Sometimes, though, the solution is to leave,"Chrtiensaid. "People have to move sometimes. It's desirable to stay if they want to stay, but it's not always possible."

Those remarks,brought on by the news of a spate of suicide attempts in Attawapiskat, drew the ire of some members of Parliamentwho held an emergency meeting about the suicide crisis Tuesday night.

On Wednesday, following a meeting with Assembly of First Nations Chief Perry BellegardeandAttawapiskat First NationChiefBruceShisheesh. Ontario Health Minister EricHoskinssaid the government would pledgeup to $2millionto help deal with the crisis.

Fear of taking the step

Yet some in the community agreein part with Chrtien's commentsand say they would certainly consider exiting the town.

"If I had an opportunity to move, I would take the chance, but the only thing that's holding me back is my family for my grandparents or my mother," said CharlotteWheesk. "And sometimes, I think I'm scared I'm going to fall apart if I move south, not have enoughfor rent or food.

Charlotte Wheesk and her mother, Stella, say they would leave the town if they had the opportunity. (Mark Gollom/CBC)

"There's nothing here. There's nothing for kids,there's nothing for some adults.Peoplejuststart ending up getting intodrugs and alcohol. There'snothing. It's not healthy for the young children to live like that."

Her mother, StellaWheesk,agreeswith her daughter that she, too, would like to leave"because there's nothing here.It's a dead town."

But it's not so simple to relocate one's family.

"It's very expensive. It costs like $600 for a plane ticket to get out of this community," saidRebecca Hookimaw.

"I can't just move away and forget aboutAttawapiskat." I hear people saying, 'Why can't they just move and get away fromAttawapiskat?'But it's not easy."

'This place is home'

Deputy Grand Chief Anna BettyAchneepineskumsaidno one suggests thatpeople move from other troubled areas in the world, like regionsthat experience earthquakes.

"Do we ask them why don't they move away from there?Because that's theirhome. This place is home for the people who are living here," she said. "They have aright to be livingwhereverthey want to live. And the governments should be providing the homes and infrastructure to livewhereverthey want to live."

The circumstances are not all negative, she stressed, pointing outthere are some people in Attawapiskatwho have built some small businesses and a life for themselves.

'Closer to the land'

Jack Linklater said he had the opportunity to leave last yearbut decided to say because his three children like living in the town.

"Iwouldn'tmove. It's closer to the bush, closer to the land. Iwouldn't want to live in the city. Too much hassle over there."

His son, Jack Jr., a youth leader,saidthe community is in need of youth facilities and programs. Linklater, who was honoured last year for rescuing his two nieces from a housefiretwo years ago,met with BellegardeWednesdayto present him with a list of priorities, including a youth camp site and youth centre.

But despite the problems and youthservices that are desperately needed,he, too, does not want to leave, saying he has strong ties to the community.

"This is where our ancestors have been. Our family, our trapping grounds, ourhunting grounds."