Indian Day Schools Settlement gets go-ahead

08/22/2019

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to inform the community that the Federal Court has approved the nation-wide class action settlement to compensate survivors for harms suffered while attending Federal Indian Day Schools.

Since June of this year, the MCK has operated a webpage to assist community members who need any type information on this matter, correct contact information, websites and more. (www.kahnawake.com/indiandayschool)

“Although the Indian Day School Class Action Settlement is not an MCK initiative, we will be assisting our people who have been affected,” said Ietsénhaienhs Rhonda Kirby, who is the lead on the file. “We will continue to monitor any developments and offer any assistance to our community members who may need help navigating the process. We are currently collaborating with KSCS to plan how best to continue to provide assistance to our community members who are affected by this Settlement.”

Survivors will be able to apply for compensation of between $10,000 to $200,000 based on the level of harm experienced and other factors. Applications for a claim for compensation are not yet finalized or available. Information will be forthcoming once the application forms for compensation are available.

At this time, survivors have the right to opt-out of the class action settlement and must do so by 18, Tsothóhrha/November 2019. Individuals opting-out of this class action settlement will not receive any compensation. Individuals choosing to opt-out of the settlement still retain the right to independently sue Canada for harms suffered while they attended a day school.

More information on upcoming information sessions in Kahnawà:ke regarding the class action settlement will be coming soon.