Deaths linked to residential school payouts

Tuesday, January 22, 2008  

Leaders in Fort Simpson in the Northwest Territories of Canada say four deaths can be attributed to an influx of residential school payments and alcohol abuse.

Four people have died in the community since December 20. All had a history of alcohol abuse and had received their share of the $1.9 billion residential school settlement, said Chief Keyna Norwegian of the Liidli Kue First Nation.

"We all knew that when the residential money was coming, it may be a burden for a lot of people and this is just a prime example," Norwegian told CBC News. "But to have deaths is something that we just never wanted to see happen."

Norwegian said the band has started a citizen's patrol and will crack down on alcohol booleggers.

Get the Story:
4 Fort Simpson deaths blamed on alcohol, residential school cash (CBC 1/21)

Relevant Links:
Residential Schools Claims - http://www.residentialschools.ca
Assembly of First Nations - http://www.afn.ca
Indian Residential Schools Resolution Department - http://www.irsr-rqpi.gc.ca/english

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