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Written by James Murray THUNDER BAY - ATTAWAPISKAT - The Manitoba Citizen's Team project is seeking some help to assist the group in its ongoing efforts to help the people of Attawapiskat. The small community on the shores of James Bay have had both good news recently, and some bad news. The good news is that the Minister of Indian and Northern Affair, Chuck Strahl has announced that a new school will be built in the community.

However, the community struggled through 2009 with problems. One of those problems came with a massive backup of sewage into many of the homes.

Right now Katherine Cooper of the Manitoba Citizen's Team has 1000 boxes destined for Attawapiskat. "We are brainstorming and looking for any alternative ways to help with gas vouchers or airmiles. This is a humantarian effort on our part to help Attawapiskat, so we can wrap up our donation drive. They have been stuck for awhile now," states Cooper.

"We heard the cry for help from Attawapiskat and a group of us decided to help by gathering donations of clothing. We received donations from the United States and Canada. The journey started October 18, 2009. We then had to start raising funds to deliver the donations to Attawapiskat.

Howwever the financial donations are very slow in coming and to date have raised $325.00 and we need at least $6000.00 to transport the donations. We live in The Pas MB Canada, and to get to Attawapiskat we need to drive to Timmins Ontario, and fly the donations to Attawapiskat".

"Our goal was to be in Attawapiskat by Christmas...and we have worked tirelessly on this and reached out as we are doing now," shares Cooper. "The biggest disappointment has been our own provincial government made a committment to the group that the donations would arrive in Attawapsikat by christmas...sadly we have not heard any word from them since October 2009".  

"I can be reached at 204-623-6647 if you wish to discuss this further and you again are welcome to our Facebook group site "Family Comes First..Standing up for the childen and elders of Attawapiskat".

You can also check out the Facebook group at www.facebook.com