Aboriginal Neighbours

Standing with Attawapiskat 

"The James Bay Coast is no stranger to the Mennonite Central Committee.  Our common history goes back over 30 years, and that depth of relationship is very important to us. It is the basis of a friendship which moves us to send Mennonite people to work shoulder to shoulder with community members as you repair and build the housing that your families need and deserve. In addition to sweat and skill coming to your community, we want to bring back more informed and aware volunteers who become part of broadening and deepening understanding in our communities. The challenges for you are real and daunting. But they are not yours alone. They are ours, and we are committed to shouldering them with you."

 ~Rick Cober Bauman, Executive Director, MCCO

Attawapiskat is a community on the shores of James Bay with whom MCC has had a friendship for thirty years. And now our friends in Attawapiskat are in a state of emergency.

Right now, there are 122 families living in condemned housing that was built in the 1970’s and has not been maintained. Even more startling are the 19 families living in make-shift tents and shacks that are without electricity, running water, or plumbing. No fewer than 250 new homes are needed to alleviate over-crowding and sub-standard housing in this Mushkegowuk Cree community.

Grand Chief Stan Louttit of Mushkegowuk Council, shared, "It is the human rights of our people that are being violated; the government has a legal obligation."

The Assembly of First Nation’s recent report on housing in First Nations across Canada sites overcrowding that is double that found in the rest of the country, mould contaminates present in close to half of all First Nation households, and a First Nation population that is growing at a rate nearly three times the Canadian average.  

MCCO empathizes with the challenges voiced by Attawapiskat. Monique Sutherland, Attawapiskat’s Housing Manager (seen at right), explains, “We can’t just pick up hammers, nails and supplies and repair our homes.  Supplies cost money, and so does the transportation of these supplies. The solutions aren’t that simple.”

MCC also recognizes that Attawapiskat is not alone among First Nations in Canada in their struggle for a healthy community.

As this unfolds, may we continue to grow our understanding of the deeply troubled relationships between first peoples and newcomers. And let us grow our commitment to healing and strengthening those relationships.

How is MCC connected to Attawapiskat?

In 1981 MCC accepted an invitation to send summer volunteers to work alongside community members growing vegetables in the garden soils of Potato Island, just off shore from the village site. Later in the 80's we were asked to place teachers into their school. Years later we were asked to assist them in their efforts to have a better school. We have continued to work hard to follow local leadership in improving water supply, food security, and of course housing.

For more than 20 years, MCCO has had the honour of being woven into relationship with Attawapiskat First Nation through the openness and innovation of the men, women, children and elders in this culturally-rooted community.  Our shared work on food security and economic justice has been truly profound.

For more info contact:
Lyndsay Mollins Koene
1-705-264-2494
Aboriginal Neighbour Coordinator
MCC Ontario

Standing with First Peoples - engaging ourselves, and taking the time to understand the connections between the history, culture and the land belonging to Indigenous people.