In a significant ruling this week, a Saskatchewan judge has officially certified the class action of survivors from the Ãle-Ã -la-Crosse Boarding School at the Court of King’s Bench and has given the green light to the settlement agreements with Canada and Saskatchewan that were agreed upon last year. This settlement stands as the largest of its kind in the province.
Justice R.C. Wempe, in a written statement, emphasized the fairness of the settlement process, acknowledging the experienced legal representation and diligent negotiations that led to the proposed final agreement. Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River MP Buckley Belanger, who is a survivor of the Ãle-à -la-Crosse Boarding School, expressed his joy at the court’s decision, highlighting the significance of reaching a settlement for all individuals impacted by the school’s atrocities.
The survivors of the Ãle-Ã -la-Crosse Boarding School, many of whom endured severe physical and sexual abuse, initiated a class action lawsuit to seek acknowledgment and compensation for the cultural losses and mistreatment they suffered at the institution, which predates the federal residential school system agreement of 2005. Due to the passage of time, several survivors have passed away, underscoring the urgency of reaching a settlement, as mentioned by MN-S vice president Michelle LeClair.
Reflecting on the lengthy legal process, Belanger acknowledged the unfortunate reality of losing elderly plaintiffs before the settlement was finalized, expressing condolences to their families and emphasizing the importance of preserving their stories and experiences. The Ãle-à -la-Crosse Boarding School, a long-standing institution dating back to the 1860s, played a significant role in the lives of approximately 1,500 children from Métis communities across northwest Saskatchewan.
Premier Scott Moe expressed optimism about using the recent settlement as a blueprint to address similar issues at the Timber Bay Residential School, which was also excluded from the 2005 settlement and operated from 1952 to 1994. As survivors of the Ãle-à -la-Crosse residential school transition into the compensatory phase of the settlement, they are set to receive a total of $27.3 million in experience payments, along with a $10 million legacy fund designated for the community, managed by Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN-S).
The road to justice for survivors of these institutions continues, with ongoing efforts to address the historical wrongs and provide closure to those affected by the legacy of residential schools in Canada.
