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By Teresa Smith

OTTAWA — The residents of the troubled Attawapiskat reserve in northern Ontario could be evacuated under a new proposal from Ottawa.

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Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan has suggested two options for the reserve — work with the federally appointed third-party manager to retrofit existing facilities or evacuate needy residents until new homes are built.

In a two-page letter addressed to Chief Theresa Spence on Wednesday, Duncan encouraged the community’s leader to work with third-party manager Jacques Marion, who was kicked out of the reserve during a visit this week.

“I am reiterating my concern about the health and safety needs in your community. I continue to encourage you to work with my officials . . . in addressing these short-term emergency needs. Our goal is to ensure all residents have access to safe, warm shelter,” Duncan wrote.

Duncan offered two options for Spence to consider while the community awaits the arrival of 15 new modular homes to meet immediate housing needs.