Attawapiskat

Rising waters following the break up of the Attawapiskat River has led Attawapiskat First Nation to evacuate some of its residents while other James Bay communities go back to normal following another spring thaw.

While some communities on James Bay coast return to normal after flooding, Attawapiskat has evacuated 400 community members due to rising water levels.

Despite losing more than two weeks of the winter road season along the James Bay coast due to two separate blockades, De Beers Canada says it was able to ship the necessary fuel and supplies to its Victor Mine site.

Attawapiskat has been reimbursed for the fees charged by the third party manager that was imposed on the First Nation in December 2011 after the community’s housing crisis made the national spotlight.

Debeers is still considering legal action against winter road blockaders from Attwapiskat, even though the company completed its winter road shipping despite the blockades.

Chelsea Edwards of Attawapiskat First Nation was recently selected to vice-chair the new Premier’s Council on Youth Opportunities.

A blockade of the 90-kilometre winter road leading to De Beers’ Victor diamond mine site near Attawapiskat ended on Feb. 22 after a Timmins judge ruled that it was illegal.

A blockade of the 90-kilometre winter road leading to De Beers’ Victor diamond mine site near Attawapiskat ended on Feb. 22 after a Timmins judge ruled that it was illegal.

The DeBeers winter road has been blocked twice over the past week, an ongoing blockade that began on Feb. 10 and another from Feb. 4-6.

Just days after the resolution of the first blockade by Attawapiskat members of the Debeers winter road, a second blockade on the road heading north from the community was set up.

The blockade of the road from Attawapiskat to the Debeers Canada diamond mine site ended Feb. 6.

A small group of Attawapiskat members have blockaded the Debeers diamond mine.

After 44 days without eating, Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence and Cross Lake Elder Raymond Robinson ended their hunger strike on Jan. 24.

After a joint meeting with First Nations leaders, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Govenor General David Johnston failed to materialize on Jan. 11, Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence continues her hunger strike.