INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS: Help on way to Attawapiskat

[caption id="attachment_1003730147" align="aligncenter" width="427"] Stevenson Staios (left) of Thunder Airlines, Chris Theriault of Allstate Insurance, and Anthony Gilin of Mine Safety Solutions arrive in Attawapiskat with water and other supplies. (Image: Anthony Gilin)[/caption] ONTARIO – The Timmins Daily Press reported last week on the efforts of two businesses based in that town to fly supplies to the indigenous town of Attawapiskat on the shore of James Bay. The First Nation community has been living with a water crisis since early July when trihalomethanes, by-products of the disinfection process, were detected in the local water supply. Mine Safety Solutions president Anthony Gilin and Allstate Insurance agent Chris Theriault got in touch with Jackie Shisheesh, the Attawapiskat health director to ask what they could do to help. The two Timmins residents raised $650 through a social media campaign. Then they flew in bottled water to help alleviate the water crisis. Hand soap, shampoo and conditioner, baby wipes, school supplies, socks, and about 25 kg of ground beef were also sent to begin restocking the shelves of local stores. Air Creebec flew the first planeload to Attawapiskat on Aug. 2, and Thunder Airlines did the same on Aug. 5. Gilin was quick to thank many other who supported the efforts: Geseron Employment Consulting, JR Digital, Eagle Eye Drilling, BioNorth Solutions and Ross Wert. Please visit www.MineSafetySolutions.ca to fill your personal safety equipment needs.