While a crisis continues to grip families living in the northern Ontario community of Attawapiskat, at least one Conservative MP acknowledges there is a communications problem between the First Nations leadership and the federal government.

In an interview with CBC Radio's The House, Conservative MP and member of the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Kyle Seeback tells host Evan Solomon, "Clearly, there seems to be an issue with communication between the two."

"But what I urge them to do, is to move past that and deal with the urgent needs of the people there."

Seeback's comments come on the heels of another missive fired by Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence against the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development John Duncan.

In a five-page open letter dated Jan.5, Spence refutes an accusation made Thursday by Duncan that her council is obstructing the flow of cash needed to pay the community's bills by refusing to release information requested by the government-appointed third-party manager.