INDIAN RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT (INRSSA):
THE PAINFUL STORY COMES TO A LEGAL END
March 21, 2007
Mary Moonias
This was the largest class action case in Canada's History. The Settlement Agreement received Court approval on March 21, 2007 with the full support of all parties involved: Government of Canada, Legal Counsel for former students; Legal Counsel for Churches, and the Assembly of First Nations.
The opt-out period ran for 150 days ensuring that those affected by the INRSSA were informed of the components of the Agreement and how their legal rights may be affected. Approximately 340 former students opted out.
Implementation began September 19, 2007 and includes the following:
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Common Experience Payment (CEP) to be paid to all eligible former students who resided at a recognized Residential School. This is a lump sum payment that recognizes the Residential School experience resulted in loss of culture, language, etc. Upon verification each person will receive $10,000 for the first year or part thereof and an additional $3,000.00 for each subsequent year or partial thereof. Average payment is estimated to be $28,000. Former Students can submit applications: to a centralized processing centre; to receive the application packaged, call: 1-866-699-1742; TTY 1-800-926-9105. Payment can be by cheque or direct deposit. Former students DO NOT NEED copies of their school records to apply for the CEP.
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Independent Assessment Process (IAP) is an adjudicative process which provides individuals with compensation for sexual and physical abuse. legal advice is recommended before proceeding. $960 million has been allocated to pay for claims settled under IAP. Maximum payment is $275,000. Actual income loss may be compensated up to a maximum of $250,000. IMPORTANT NOTE: Former students can apply for both IAP and CEP.
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Establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
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Indian Residential Support Health System is a $96 million to support emotional health and wellness services. If eligible to receive CEP, you are eligible for the health services which includes the following: Professional counselling services; Assistance with cost of transportation to counselling services and/or Elders not in home community; Emotional support provided by Resolution Health Support Workers; Cultural support provided by Elders.
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The list of one hundred and thirty (130) recognized Residential Schools is available at:
www.residentialschoolsettlement.ca
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If a residential school is not on the list it may be added if it meets the criteria.
NOTE: The first payment was made to Mary Moonias, a teacher from the Louis Bull First Nation in Alberta on October 4, 2007.
She spent ten years in a residential school.
Upon receiving the payment she said: "Let's celebrate that were here, that we survived . Let's learn to talk about our pain and move on. I want my people to move on."
This legal conclusion, opens the way for an official apology from the Prime Minister of Canada, June 11, 2008.
April 10, 2008
More details:
Press Statement: April 10, 2008
Mass Graves of Residential School Children Identified –
Independent Inquiry Launched
"We are gathered today to publicly disclose the location of twenty eight mass graves of children who died in Indian Residential Schools across Canada , and to announce the formation of an independent, non-governmental inquiry into the death and disappearance of children in these schools.We estimate that there are hundreds, and possibly thousands, of children buried in these grave sites alone.
The Catholic, Anglican and United Church , and the government of Canada, operated the schools and hospitals where these mass graves are located. We therefore hold these institutions and their officers legally responsible and liable for the deaths of these children.
We have no confidence that the very institutions of church and state that are responsible for these deaths can conduct any kind of impartial or real inquiry into them. Accordingly, as of April 15, 2008, we are establishing an independent, non-governmental inquiry into the death and disappearance of Indian residential school children across Canada .Thhis inquiry shall be known as The International Human Rights Tribunal into Genocide in Canada (IHRTGC), and is established under the authority of the following hereditary chiefs, who shall serve as presiding judges of the Tribunal:
Hereditary Chief Kiapilano of the Squamish Nation
Chief Louis Daniels (Whispers Wind), Anishinabe Nation Chief Svnoyi Wohali (Night Eagle), Cherokee Nation
Lillian Shirt, Clan Mother, Cree Nation
Elder Ernie Sandy, Anishinabe (Ojibway) Nation
Hereditary Chief Steve Sampson, Chemainus Nation
Ambassador Chief Red Jacket of Turtle Island
More Details
http://www.hiddenfromhistory.org
JUNE 11, 2008
FINALLY, PRIME MINISTER HARPER ON BEHALF OF THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT OFFERS A FULL APOLOGY!
As is expected, the apology receives a mixed reception from the Indigenous victims. Overall, however, it is agreed that the apology which was a long time in coming, was needed in order to help with the healing process.
The Catholic Church, the biggest religious perpetrator has never apologized!
As the Dene Elders say, "Tomorrow will be better."
http://www.shannonthunderbird.com/re...al_schools.htm