FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Vancouver, March 1, 2017
The Representative Plaintiffs in the Day Scholars Class Action anticipate a busy few months ahead as discussions with Canada’s Ministerial Special Representative, Tom Isaac move into high gear. Following Mr. Isaac’s appointment by the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister for Indigenous Affairs, the two sides have held preliminary meetings to help Mr. Isaac understand the depth of the impact of attendance at Residential Schools by the Day Scholars. Meeting dates through the next several months have now been scheduled in attempt to move this matter forward.
Launched in 2012 by the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc and shíshálh Indian Bands, who were joined by the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee), the Day Scholars Class Action lawsuit seeks compensation on behalf of all Aboriginal Canadians who attended an Indian Residential School, but who did not sleep there. The case also seeks declarations regarding Canada’s role in the failure to protect Aboriginal language and culture, and looks for compensation for the children of survivors, and the bands to which survivors belong.
The Plaintiffs remain committed to a fair outcome for all survivors, their children and their bands, and will work hard to ensure that the voices of all those who attended the Indian Residential Schools, but who were not compensated under the Indian Residential Schools Settlement, are heard. At this time, there are no steps that class members need to take; anyone who fits the definition of a Day Scholar is automatically included in the lawsuit. Prior to any proposed settlement, the Representative Plaintiffs will be notifying the class of the terms. In addition, no settlement can be reached without Court approval. As more information becomes available, it will be shared with Aboriginal people across Canada.
For more information contact:
Jo-Anne Gottfriedson
Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc
Day Scholar Co-Chair & Coordinator
200-300 Chief Alex Thomas Way
Kamloops, British Columbia
Canada V2H1Hl
Phone: 250-828-9788
Fax:250-372-8833
Email : jo-anne.gottfriedson@kib.ca
I often wonder how long this is going to take. It’s been such a long hard strech. My mother Pauline Jackson Passed away like that with out knowing that there was such a thing as money given for Indian residential School sufferes! That is how people in the Reserve tell anyone ,when there is anything to do with money. Just a bunch of jelousely people. They hate to see anyone get ahead. So today I’m wondering when is this going to end. I went to these day schools and talk about abuse ,neglect and harassing I had to live with. At the time I was non treaty, so I was called everything under the sun. There is days where my sister and I hid in the bush ,so we didn’t go to school. It was 30 below our lunch frozen and we ate it. We sat up in the tree all-day. Because , the other students were like dogs and the Teacher couldn’t care what happened outside the school. If you said anything he would use a yard stick and hit you across the head. If you asked to go to the washroom,! he made sure you stood in the corner with a Dunce Hat. I think he was very abusive, and rude.But it’s just a few things I’m mentioning . Today! I would handle it differently I don’t let anyone intimidate me .
I William son of Agnes Pierre who she wentto St Mary’s school until marriage . I myself have lost alot of when I was young I went to my grandfather time to learn what I miss out on. That was my culture my language . I went to learn song and dance from him as well.I would benifit educational funds to upgrade as i only completed grade 7.I would also like to take our own language classes so i can understand my elders.