In Brief
As of Wednesday September 19th 2012 11:59PM, the Canadian government will no longer be accepting applications for compensations for those who’s life have been affected by residential schools.
Compensation under the Independent Assessment Process which differs from the Common Experience Payments that many former students received in recent years, will see a final deadline tonight.
The Common Experience Payment gave eligible former students $10,000 for the first year they had to attend residential schools and $3,000 for each successive year.
The Independent Assessment Process provides additional compensation to former students who suffered serious sexual, physical or other abuse that caused psychological damage.
Both payments are being provided under the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (IRSSA), a class-action settlement that was reached between the federal government, aboriginal groups and former students.
After the deadline passes on Wednesday night, the only way anyone can file a new claim is through court action.
Compensation Not For All
It is estimated there 150,000 aboriginal, Inuit and Métis children were removed from their homes and forced to attend residential schools throughout the 19th and 20th century. Mass graves are still being uncovered today, traumatic abuse was committed against many students but all students who attended residential schools were taught to hate who they are, as residential schools existed to assimilate the indigenous people of Canada.
Speaking the native language of their family or practicing traditions was an offense punishable by physical and sexual abuse in these schools.
Thousands have been turned away in their claims for compensation in recent years. The federal government has left 1,300 schools off the list. Anyone who went to one of those 1,300 schools is not eligible for compensation.
Class action lawsuits against the government, in an attempt to receive compensation have become common place, however with the deadline about to hit, those looking for compensation will never receive it.
