The Canadian Red Cross said Saturday it would send aid to the northern Ontario community of Attawapiskat and assist in managing donations for the community.

The federal minister of aboriginal affairs said his officials will visit the struggling reserve community of Attawapiskat next week. (Allison Dempster/CBC)The Red Cross says the community needs generators, heaters, insulated sleeping mats, blankets and winter clothing, said John Saunders, provincial director of disaster management for the organization.

Attawapiskat, a Cree community of 2,000 near James Bay, has declared a state of emergency and is facing an extreme housing shortage. More than 100 people in the community have been living in makeshift tents and shacks that lack heat, electricity and plumbing.

Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence said the area needs another 250 homes. The Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development has committed $500,000 to the community for renovations to five vacant homes.

Chief Spence said the department had committed another $2 million but Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan later said no decision had yet been made.

Is Red Cross aid to Attawapiskat an embarrassment to Canada? Let us know what you think.



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