A Saskatchewan Court of King's Bench judge has certified the lawsuit and approved the settlement agreements reached last year for the Île-à-la-Crosse residential school survivors' class action. This marks the single largest class action settlement by the Saskatchewan government, according to a Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S) spokesperson.
Long-Awaited Justice
MN-S vice-president Michelle LeClair, who has been involved in the case for many years, expressed relief and hope for the survivors. "There have been difficult moments for the survivors sharing their stories with others in the quest to be heard. This is a monumental time for them and their families. We truly hope they can now find some semblance of meaningful closure," LeClair said in a news release after the decision.
Details of the Settlement
The proposed federal settlement includes $27.3 million in experience payments and a $10 million Legacy Fund for abuse claims, legal fees, and potentially additional experience payments for survivors who lived in residence. Survivors who attended the school for less than five years will receive up to $10,000, while those who attended longer than five years will receive up to $15,000.
Saskatchewan's settlement of $40.2 million includes payments ranging from $50,000 to $235,000 for survivors who experienced sexual or physical abuse. Justice Rochelle Wempe noted in her decision that while the court must not rubber stamp settlements, there is a strong presumption of fairness when experienced counsel negotiate at arm's length.
Survivors' Stories
Antoinette Lafleur, a committee member and residential school survivor, was just four years old when she was taken to Île-à-la-Crosse. "I suffered unspeakable abuse but have shared my experience in the hope that the survivors would be believed," Lafleur said. "I have faith this court ruling will allow our entire survivors' community and their families to move forward."
The school operated from the 1860s until 1976, with approximately 1,500 students, mostly Métis children from northern Saskatchewan. They were forced to assimilate, often suffering abuse for speaking their native language.
Louis Gardiner, a representative plaintiff, said, "The people of our community have been through so much over the years and the residual effects are still felt today. This has been a long time coming and we have lost so many of our survivors at this point. I only hope their families can join with us as this long-awaited decision sinks in and we take our next steps together."
