ATTAWAPISKAT – The modular homes are making it into Attawapiskat along what is a very busy winter road. During the short time of the year when the road is open, all of the supplies for the community, and for the De Beers Victor Mine have to be brought in. It makes for a busy schedule of traffic.
Weather conditions are of course unpredictable, and moving the vast amounts of equipment in moves as quickly as possible.
The De Beers convoy is a large effort. Emma A. Williams of Kashechewan says, “There was about six or seven…just got this bit…maybe eight at the most”.
Williams adds, “There are enough stock photos of the homes going up to Attawapskat but on a regular highway, none actually of the winter ice road”.
On February 11th, from Ottawa, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, John Duncan stated, “It is imperative with the warm weather and potentially shortened winter road season that all efforts to prepare the remaining 20 sites occur as quickly as possible so that they are ready for the delivery of the other remaining homes”.
Minister Duncan has yet to visit Attawapiskat since the state of emergency was declared.
Photographs courtesy of Emma A. Williams.