Emergency volunteer team distributes $100K in aid in Attawapiskat

A provincial volunteer team distributed $100,000 in aid to Attawapiskat on Thursday.

The First Nations community in northern Ontario declared an emergency in October because 25 families were living in housing too flimsy to face the harsh winter.

The Ontario Volunteer Emergency Response Team (OVERT) is handing out water purification systems, hygiene kits for children and adults, medical supplies and thermal clothing.

The OVERT team consists of a Durham Region police officer, two paramedics and a water technician. The funds were donated by the Baagwatting Community Association and the Blue Heron Casino, who are part of the Mississauga’s of Scugog Island First Nation.

Meanwhile, federal and provincial emergency officials are refitting a local healing centre as a temporary shelter for the winter. And the federal government has purchased 22 new modular houses, with the hope that they’ll be in place later this winter.

At the same time, however, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has accused the band of mismanaging federal money and not producing adequate results for the $90 million transferred to the community over five years.

With files from The Canadian Press

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