Residential school survivors have received financial settlements, and an official apology from Prime Minister Harper. These actions have been a move forward in the attempt to heal the long-term inter-generational effects of the emotional, physical and sexual abuse many native children experienced over a hundred years in Canada.
But according to Chief Shane Gottfriedson, “our people were left out of the process”. That’s because the Tk’emlups Band, of Kamloops, British Columbia were what is known as ‘day scholars’, children who lived close enough to the schools to go home at night. Despite the proximity, these children suffered many of the same abuses.
The Tk’emlups band, has partnered with the Sechelt band of the B,C, coast, and filed a class action suit and their case goes to court in mid-April.
In an interview on CBC radio, Tk’emlups Chief Shane Gottfriedson says it is a human rights issue. He explained the claimants are seeking financial compensation for themselves as survivors, for the descendants of students, and a Community Healing Fund.
There were about 220 day students in the last generation forced to attend the residential school in Kamloops, but there are many other native people across Canada who were also ‘day scholars’.
In Kamloops there are only 100 students left, at this point. Chief Gottfriedson says there are deep-rooted issues that traumatized people. He said there was no amount of money that can really compensate but a Community Healing Fund will help rebuild the people and the community for the future.
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