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Funds raise questions

Funding transferred to Attawapiskat First Nation equals $40,000 for each family in the band

There are over 2,800 members of Attawapiskat First Nation, but the local on-reserve population was 1,549 according to the 2011 census. More than a third of the members of the Attawapiskat First Nation who still live on their home reserve are under the age of 19, and three-quarters are under the age of 35 (2010-12-03) (Wikipedia).

A newly released audit of the federal funding spent by the Attawapiskat First Nation has found significant documentation lacking for the $104 million transferred to the band between 2005 and 2011 (CBC). If you divide $104 million dollars by 1,549 people, it equals $67,140.09 — divided by six years equals $11,190 for every man woman and child per year. This would average over $40,000 per family per year.

However, the Band Chief Theresa Spence and her lover the band co-manager, Clayton Kennedy, each receive two hundred thousand dollars a year in salary. The chief is on a hunger strike amid national Idle No More protests (CBC).

Dean Schellenberg

 

Penticton