Shannon Koostachin, a 13 year old student in Attawapiskat said that she wants her younger brothers and sisters to have a better school than the portables she received her schooling in, “I don’t want others to go to school in portables that leak, windows don’t open, washroom doors don’t close and ceilings are cracked. This is not an atmosphere for learning.” Greg Coleman, who has apparently replaced Tony Prudori as the INAC spokesman says, “. . . right now our concerns are for the health and safety of the students . . . The last health and safety inspection showed it is safe.” But he was not sure when that inspection occurred.

Maybe Mr. Coleman is not aware, but in other parts of Ontario it is taken for granted that schools are safe and healthy. Their concern is for the quality of education that is taking place in the facilities that are provided. External educational experts from Ontario have indicated that the present facilities in Attawapiskat are NOT suitable for quality education. It should not be necessary to remind Mr. Coleman, or the Minister, that not every building that is judged to be satisfactory from a health and safety criteria, is suitable as a school.

Mr. Coleman states that in 2006 the government invested $194 million in First Nation schools across the country. He went on to say “we put the money where it is most needed.” (Timmins Daily Press. March 21,2008) But while the Government is prepared to invest $350 million in post secondary educational support, they will not build a school for the 400+ students in Attawapiskat who are receiving what education they can in facilities that represent only about 50% of the space required by the government’s own School Space Accommodation Standards – let alone those of Ontario.

Another comparison is Ontario’s budgeted $18.8 BILLION for primary and secondary education. This figure is up 20.3% since 2003/04. This represents the criteria that the Education Authority in Attawapiskat is trying to meet with a vastly reduced budget and substandard facilities!

Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Hall was overwhelmed by the support shown at the gathering. “I am truly thankful for all the schools and students across Canada that have shown their support to our cause. We will not give up. Our children deserve it.”