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malaise

(269,056 posts) Wed Mar 30, 2016, 05:46 PM Mar 2016

Nine dead in family house fire at remote Canadian indigenous community

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/30/canada-first-nation-house-fire-nine-dead-indigenous
<snip>
Nine people from one family have died in a house fire on a remote aboriginal reserve in Canada’s northern Ontario region, according to media reports on Wednesday.

Robert Nault, the member of parliament for the area that includes Pikangikum First Nation, said the dead include three children. The reserve has been in the news for a high number of suicides among young people and social problems.

Constable Diana Cole of Ontario provincial police said the fire broke out late on Tuesday night in the remote community near the Manitoba-Ontario border.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, and police remain on the scene.

Alvin Fiddler, grand chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, which represents First Nations in northern Ontario, said he spoke on Wednesday with the Pikangikum chief, Dean Owen, who sounded exhausted.

“The shock of losing so many people in one tragic event is overwhelming,” Fiddler said.
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6 replies

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Nine dead in family house fire at remote Canadian indigenous community (Original Post) malaise Mar 2016 OP

Vibes to those poor souls and the whole community. applegrove Mar 2016 #1

. In_The_Wind Mar 2016 #2

So sad laundry_queen Mar 2016 #3

The poor and marginalized are all 'third world' malaise Mar 2016 #4

Yep. laundry_queen Mar 2016 #5

Good point but we could say the same for those who have some means malaise Mar 2016 #6

applegrove

(118,696 posts)

1. Vibes to those poor souls and the whole community.

Reply to malaise (Original post)

Wed Mar 30, 2016, 05:51 PM

Mar 2016

In_The_Wind

(72,300 posts)

2. .

Reply to malaise (Original post)

Wed Mar 30, 2016, 05:57 PM

Mar 2016

laundry_queen

(8,646 posts)

3. So sad

Reply to malaise (Original post)

Wed Mar 30, 2016, 08:47 PM

Mar 2016

As is stated in the article, the lack of adequate housing and functioning fire fighting equipment means this is unfortunately a common occurrence on reserves. I just saw on the news that 95% of houses on this particular reserve do not have running water. Insane. At the very least the federal gov't should be making sure they have THAT.

malaise

(269,056 posts)

4. The poor and marginalized are all 'third world'

Reply to laundry_queen (Reply #3)

Wed Mar 30, 2016, 08:49 PM

Mar 2016

even in so called developed countries.

laundry_queen

(8,646 posts)

5. Yep.

Reply to malaise (Reply #4)

Wed Mar 30, 2016, 09:03 PM

Mar 2016

But unfortunately even those who are not poor but choose to stay on the reserve don't have much choice when it comes to housing. It's why my uncle decided to move off reserve. It's sad when you have to leave your home, family and culture just to have a safe house and running water. In the case of aboriginals in Canada, I think it's a lot more racism than poverty, although that's a major factor. One leads to the other.

malaise

(269,056 posts)

6. Good point but we could say the same for those who have some means

Reply to laundry_queen (Reply #5)

Wed Mar 30, 2016, 09:05 PM

Mar 2016

everywhere who don't want to leave their poor folks and neighborhoods

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