"The federal government's response to the grim First Nations housing situation at Attawapiskat is troubling.

It appears a knee-jerk racist response and the spread of misinformation has become its mantra.

Attawapiskat has become a miner's canary for Canadian First Nations. We can expect the heavy hand of this government to form the basis of future policy making.

Ottawa's reaction - and that of Prime Minister Stephen Harper in particular - has been appalling.

Rather than face the issue and try to find some kind of resolution, the prime minister complained that about $90 million has been spent by his government in the past six years and he sees little to show for it. Then the colonial office walks in and places the First Nations government under thirdparty management, which is a form of receivership."

Get the Story:
Doug Cuthand: Don't blame bands for reserve housing woes (The Victoria Times-Colonist 12/6)

More Opinions:
Emile Therien: Native children's lives at risk (The Windsor Star 12/6)
Daniel D. Veniez: We Can't Fix Attawapiskat Until We Fix the Indian Act (The Huffington Post 12/6)
W. Hunter: Need more accountability (The Comox Valley Echo 12/6)
David Krayden: Treat native Canadians with respect, equality (The Ottawa Citizen 12/6)

Also Today:
Atleo: First Nations people have reason to feel “angry and betrayed” (APTN 12/6)
Shacks, slop pails on Wasagamack First Nation (CBC 12/5)

Related Stories:
Attawapiskat First Nation put under third-party management (12/1)