Advertise:   ads@blueearthmarketing.com   712.224.5420

Canada
Not all Natives pleased with residential school deal


The Assembly of First Nations is hailing as "historic" an agreement to mediate residential school abuse claims but not everyone is optimistic about the deal.

Robert Joseph, a former student, said he is worried mediation will take too long. "It reminds me of the old adage, justice delayed is justice denied," he told CBC News.

Attorney Jon Faulds, who is representing about 900 former students, welcomed the agreement. But was also worried that settlement will be many years away.

AFN is calling for a lump-sump payment to all former students. This type of settlement could cost up $6 billion (Canadian). The Canadian Bar Association has recommended a similar payout.

In 1998, the government created the Aboriginal Healing Foundation with a $350 million investment to fund programs to address physical, sexual and mental abuse at residential schools. Most of the programs have shut down, CBC News reports.

Get the Story:
Judge to look at compensation for residential school survivors (CBC 5/31)
Ottawa shift buoys natives (The Globe and Mail 5/31)
Aboriginal healing centres closing their doors (CBC 5/31)

Relevant Links:
Indian Residential Schools Resolution Department - http://www.irsr-rqpi.gc.ca/english

Related Stories:
Mediator named in residential school abuse case (5/31)
Court allows residential school abuse class action (05/13)
Deal in works to pay residential school students (5/5)
Court allows damages for residential school abuse (5/2)
Few Natives receive money for residential school abuse (4/25)
Fire destroys former Native residential school (03/22)
Bar association seeks payment for all Native students (02/23)
Native leaders blast plan to hire investigators (02/11)
Exhibit opens on Native residential schools (01/17)
Canadian court approves class action for school abuse (12/08)
AFN calls for $10K payment for every abuse victim (11/18)
Canada slow to compensate Native abuse victims (11/05)
Canada wants abuse victim to return settlement (09/17)
Canada has spent more on lawyers than abuse victims (02/23)
Abuse case settlement process called inadequate (01/22)
Charges laid in Indian school abuse case (04/24)
Canada limits Native abuse suits (11/21)
Canada moves to settle Native claims (11/12)
Church dropped from Native abuse suit (10/25)
Abuses of Natives ignited reaction (04/29)
School church abuse lawsuit dismissed (5/16)
Candidate hit for 'scalp' remark (11/21)
Churches worry about suits (11/2)
Churches to apologize for abuse (09/05)
Official: Churches must pay (07/07)
Elder completes walk (06/20)
Sale of church urged (06/12)
Reconciliation commission urged (06/06)
Lawsuits threaten church (06/02)
Abuse charges filed (06/02)
Churches losing lawsuits (05/22)
Elders walk across Canada (5/9)
Children used as guinea pigs (04/26)