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Foundation to help Sixties Scoop survivors file settlement claims

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NNSL file photo Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Carolyn Bennett, seen here during her last visit to Iqaluit in January, is back in the capital April 5 and 6 to consult with Inuit as part of her national engagement with Inuit, First Nations and Metis to develop the Recognition and Implementation of Rights Framework announce by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Feb. 14.

The Sixties Scoop settlement agreement is now open for claims from survivors adopted into non-indigenous foster homes between Jan. 1, 1951 and Dec. 31, 1991 resulting in a loss of their cultural identity.

NNSL file photo
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Carolyn Bennett announced the claim period for the Sixties Scoop settlement is open as of Dec. 1.

Eligible class members will receive an estimated $25,000 in compensation for harm suffered as a result the Sixties Scoop.

Survivors must submit their claims by Aug. 30, 2019. The claim process is open for Status Indians and Inuit but excludes Métis peoples and people without Indian status.

The overall amount for individual compensation is based on an individual payment of $25,000 per person, but the exact amount, not exceeding $50,000 per person will depend on the number of validated claims.

The Sixties Scoop settlement agreement includes individual compensation and contributes $50-million to establish an independent charitable foundation to support Indigenous peoples’ healing, wellness, education, language, culture and a commemoration component, states a Dec. 1 news release from Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC).

The class action claims administrator is travelling across the country this month to give information to potential class members, holding 21 information sessions to guide people through their claim forms.

There are no planned visits in the NWT aside from a Yellowknife information session, to be held March 18.

If between 20,000 and 30,000 people submit claims, the compensation will sit at $25,000 per person.

The Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation will head up an engagement process to reach survivors of the Sixties Scoop and enable families and communities to be involved in how the foundation is governed, the release states.
Once the foundation is established, its services will be available to all Indigenous peoples and their families who are impacted by Sixties Scoop.

“The Sixties Scoop is a dark and terrible chapter in Canada's history. This settlement represents an important step forward for thousands of Indigenous people,” said Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Carolyn Bennett in a news release.

“It is focused on the needs of survivors, providing individual compensation and recognizing the importance of language and culture and the harm done when children are taken from their families and communities. We will continue to work with survivors and Indigenous partners to advance reconciliation, promote Indigenous languages and culture, and support the healing and commemoration of those affected by the harmful policies of the past,” said Bennett.