Copyright © 2003 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

Kitiganik/Rapid Lake/Lac Rapide – The Algonquin families of Barriere Lake woke up this morning to a community without hydro or heat. It is the second time in as many weeks that the reserve’s single, aging generator has failed in the severe winter weather. The power outage has plunged the community of nearly 500 into crisis. The power outage has even cut the single phone line into the community. Grand Chief Carol McBride of the Algonquin Nation Secretariat says the freezing homes are typical of the disgraceful conditions being endured by the families of Barriere Lake.

"You don’t have to travel to the Third World to see poverty", says Grand Chief McBride. “All you have to do is drive 280 kms north of Ottawa into Algonquin country. While the rest of Canada awoke to warm homes and hot breakfasts this morning, we had young children who couldn’t get fed because there was no heat for the stoves, or couldn’t go to school because the building was frozen. Can you imagine any non-Native community in Canada that would have to deal with such deplorable conditions?”

Grand Chief McBride says the problem of the aging generator is just a symptom of the failing infrastructure in the community. Houses are overcrowded (up to 22 people in a home), medical services almost non-existent and the community forced to rely on a generator that is working beyond capacity.

It wasn’t supposed to be like this. In 1997, the Federal government signed an agreement with the community (the Memorandum of Mutual Intent) promising to build new homes, address the collapsing infrastructure and help bring electrification to the community. Despite claims by Indian Affairs to having made efforts in the community, little was done. And in the summer of 2001, Indian Affairs Minister Robert Nault simply walked away from the government’s signed commitments.

Grand Chief McBride says Indian Affairs won’t even answer calls from the community.

“We have families freezing in their homes while this territory produces over $100 million a year in hydro and forestry resources,” says Grand Chief McBride. “This is a shameful and inexcusable situation.”