Letter to MPs RE: Attawapiskat First Nation

Undoubtedly, you will likely have heard of the plight of one of our communities, living in worse than Third World conditions and ignored by the Canadian and Ontario governments for years. I decided not to be idle. Among other things, I wrote a letter to all the MPs to pressure them to action.

Below is a copy of my letter and below that, the emails I sent it to. Each party has one email that will automatically send your email letter to every member of that party. I hope you will join me in flooding their inboxes on this issue.

Dear MPs,

I recently read the article regarding the State of Emergency in Attawapiskat First Nation and the complete failure of governments and aid agencies to respond (www.huffingtonpost.ca/charlie-angus/attawapiskat-emergency_b_1104370.html#s487209).

Admittedly, the article greatly angered and distressed me. I cannot begin to express how shameful it is for a 1st world country that prides itself on Human Rights to then turn around and deny the basic human rights of an entire community of people.

The people of Attawapiskat First Nation are denied proper housing, electricity, heating, water, plumbing. Many are living in mere tents in a nation whose temperature plummets well below 0, to temperatures that cause illness and death.

Canada gives billions of dollars in foreign aid to nations that are not even experiencing half of the horrendous conditions as the people of Attawapiskat First Nation, and even offers aid to wealthier nations like China, yet turns a blind eye domestically.

I implore you to lay aside your political differences and agendas to do what's right. Take action with appropriate responsive measures and aid. If it means redirecting foreign aid budgets to do this, then so be it. Please make this a priority. It should not come from AANDC budgets. This is a Human Rights issue, not a First Nation issue.

If this were suburban Toronto, I am certain your response would be swift with a budget determined by need rather than by artifical caps. Please act with the same level of dedication and commitment.

Thank you,

Ken Sanderson


Here are the emails (feel free to comment and add to the list):

• libmem@parl.gc.ca (Liberal MPs)
• cpcmem@parl.gc.ca (Conservative MPs)
• ndpmem@parl.gc.ca (NDP MPs)
• elizabeth.may@parl.gc.ca

Last few pieces of advice. MPs are most likely to read your letter if they are well thought out and rant free. This can be the most challenging part. Make sure you take the time to process your emotions first, then write several drafts and get feedback from firends, mentors, etc. Since it is email, delivery is instant, so you can afford to take the few days to get your message right.

Happy activism!

Ken