Who is to blame for the crisis in Attawapiskat?

Harper

Opposition parties in Ottawa have been quick to lay blame on the Harper government for the dire situation in Attawapiskat.
The northern Ontario First Nations' community of 2,800 residents, is facing a severe housing shortage with many residents forced to live in makeshift tents and shacks without heat, electricity or indoor plumbing.
NDP MP Charlie Angus, who brought national attention to the story, has led the charge against the Conservatives suggesting the government's "indifference" has resulted in the "misery, suffering and even the death of First Nations people."
Interim Liberal leader Bob Rae called the situation a "national disgrace."
Assembly of First Nations Chief Shawn Atleo told CTV News, the situation is the result of systemic problems between Ottawa and Aboriginal communities.
Certainly the Harper government is culpable for allowing the situation in Attawapiskat to get as bad as it has but there is much more to this story.
In parliament, Tuesday, Harper noted that, since coming in to office, his government has given Attawapiskat $90 million - that is over $50,000 for every man, woman and child in the community, the Edmonton Journal reported.
In the National Post, columnist John Ivison notes the band of received $17-million in funding from the federal government last year, around half of its $34-milllion in revenues.
Ivison notes the average income on northern reserves is rarely much more than $10,000 a year, but some people on Attawapiskat are faring better than others, namely those who work for the band.
The acting chief, for example, earned $71,000 last year, the technical services manager pocketed $87,000 and the acting band manager racked up $68,000 in travel expenses in just two months.  In total, wages, employee benefits and administration accounted for $14.4-million.
Ivison also recounted a story told to him by a  young man who recently returned from teaching on a northern Ontario reserve.
"He said the social problems on reserves are compounded by abysmal leadership," Ivison wrote.
"For example, every spring, hunters on his reserve would be ferried to hunting camp by helicopter — using money that could have been spent on housing or education."
It seems, in Attawapiskat, there is plenty of blame to go around.




Gen 49:19- Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last.

 Deut 33:20- And of Gad he said, Blessed [be] he that enlargeth Gad: he dwelleth as a lion, and teareth the arm with the crown of the head. 


Deut 33:21- And he provided the first part for himself, because there, [in] a portion of the lawgiver, [was he] seated; and he came with the heads of the people, he executed the justice of the LORD, and his judgments with Israel. 


Jer 14:2- Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish;


Jer 23:2- Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.


Ezek 13:10- Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and [there was] no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered [morter]:


Ezek 13:4- O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts.


Ezek 13:5-  Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD.