The many crises facing residents of Attawapiskat, including youth suicide, housing, and now water, are emblematic of the many struggles plaguing First Nations across Canada.
When did Attawapiskat get a school?
1938
The first school in Attawapiskat was established in 1938. Between 1905 and 1938, some of the children from Attawapiskat attended The Oblate Roman Catholic Mission Boarding School in Fort Albany, Ontario. In 1938, Father Arthur Bilodeau, O.M.L. succeeded in building a school in Attawapiskat.
What language do they speak in Attawapiskat?
Cree language
Language. Almost all of the Aboriginal population of Attawapiskat speak the Swampy Cree language, one of the varieties of the Cree language, as their first language. Many elders understand very little English; they speak Cree and other Aboriginal languages.
What is the climate in Attawapiskat?
Attawapiskat Climate Weather Averages
| Month | Day | Night |
|---|---|---|
| February | -13°c | -21°c |
| March | -6°c | -15°c |
| April | 1°c | -6°c |
| May | 11°c | 1°c |
How many indigenous communities are under water advisory?
In 2015, there were drinking water advisories in 126 First Nations. The Trudeau government committed to resolving them by March 2021, but they failed to provide all the funding required to meet that deadline. There are still advisories in 33 First Nation communities.
Does Attawapiskat have a high school?
The first school in Attawapiskat was established in 1938. J.R. Nakogee School opened its doors in October: 1976. In 1991 the school was enlarged, and Vezina Secondary School opened its doors, in 1993 a new high school was built.
When was the first school built in Attawapiskat?
A little bit of our history!: The first school in Attawapiskat was established in 1938. Between 1905 and 1938, some of the children from Attawapiskat attended The Oblate Roman Catholic Mission Boarding School in Fort Albany, Ontario. In 1938, Father Arthur Bilodeau, O.M.L. succeeded in building a school in Attawapiskat.
What happened to Attawapiskat’s youth centre?
Attawapiskat, Ont., has often been a bellwether for the state of the relationship between Canada and First Nations. Two years after the community declared a state of emergency following a rash of youth suicides and suicide attempts, the youth centre promised by the federal government has not yet materialized.
What is the housing density in Attawapiskat?
According to Attawapiskat CEO Wayne Turner, the housing density here is about seven people per household. That is nearly triple the Ontario average of 2.7 per household. An engineering report produced for the community in 2011 concluded the community needed about 595 new houses by 2030.
Where is Attawapiskat First Nation?
Attawapiskat is an isolated First Nation community located in northern Ontario at the mouth of the Attawapiskat River on James Bay. In 2016, the community of approximately 2,000 people declared a state of emergency after being overwhelmed with attempted suicides, over 100 attempts in a 10-month period.
