Opposition parties in Ottawa have been quick to lay blame on the Harper government for the dire situation in Attawapiskat.

The northern Ontario First Nations' community of 2,800 residents, is facing a severe housing shortage with many residents forced to live in makeshift tents and shacks without heat, electricity or indoor plumbing

NDP MP Charlie Angus, who brought national attention to the story, has led the charge against the Conservatives suggesting the government's "indifference" has resulted in the "misery, suffering and even the death of First Nations people."

Interim Liberal leader Bob Rae called the situation a "national disgrace."

Assembly of First Nations Chief Shawn Atleo told CTV News, the situation is the result of systemic problems between Ottawa and Aboriginal communities.

Certainly the Harper government is culpable for allowing the situation in Attawapiskat to get as bad as it has but there is much more to this story.

In parliament, Tuesday, Harper noted that, since coming in to office, his government has given Attawapiskat $90 million - that is over $50,000 for every man, woman and child in the community, the Edmonton Journal reported.

In the National Post, columnist John Ivison notes the band of received $17-million in funding from the federal government last year, around half of its $34-milllion in revenues.

Ivison notes the average income on northern reserves is rarely much more than $10,000 a year, but some people on Attawapiskat are faring better than others, namely those who work for the band.

The acting chief, for example, earned $71,000 last year, the technical services manager pocketed $87,000 and the acting band manager racked up $68,000 in travel expenses in just two months. In total, wages, employee benefits and administration accounted for $14.4-million.

Ivison also recounted a story told to him by a young man who recently returned from teaching on a northern Ontario reserve.

"He said the social problems on reserves are compounded by abysmal leadership," Ivison wrote.

"For example, every spring, hunters on his reserve would be ferried to hunting camp by helicopter — using money that could have been spent on housing or education."

It seems, in Attawapiskat, there is plenty of blame to go around.