KRISTY KIRKUP | QMI AGENCY
The federal government placed Attawapiskat, located along the coast of James Bay, under third-party management last week but opposition parties and indigenous groups spoke out against the move.
"The third-party manager was in the community... When he arrived he was asked to leave by community leadership on behalf of Chief Theresa Spence," said Michelle Yao, a spokeswoman for the Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Minister John Duncan.
"The third-party manager, Jacques Marion, wished to respect the volatile situation and is currently not in the community. It is extremely worrying that the chief and council are not open to outside assistance."
Prime Minister Stephen Harper order a bureaucratic outsider be assigned to find out how $90 million in federal funding had been spent in the area over the past five years.
The government also said it planned to launch a "comprehensive audit."
Families at Attawapiskat have been living in tents and shacks without electricity, heat or running water.
The Red Cross has been providing short-term assistance to the community, but the NDP and Liberals are calling for long-term solutions, including a housing plan.
The aid organization says it has received nearly $200,000 in donations for the relief effort.
Attawapiskat's chief met separately with Duncan and National Grand Chief Shawn Atleo in Ottawa Monday. Spence will spend this week trying to talk about solutions with indigenous leaders and politicians.
First Nation leaders from across Canada will gather in Ottawa from Tuesday to Thursday for the Special Chiefs Assembly.
Hundreds of chiefs, youth and elders will address priorities their communities are facing, including economic development.
A Crown-First Nation gathering will also be held in Ottawa on Jan.24. A broad range of issues will be addressed at the meeting, including education and housing in First Nation communities.
Atleo said the summit between indigenous leaders and the government could be "defining" and provide an opportunity "to begin the work of smashing the status quo."