OHSWEKEN ‑ There are some victims of Canada’s assimilation policies through residential schools and other legislated bodies that have fallen through the cracks when it comes to financial compensation. However, there may be other class action suits for those affected by the Sixties Scoop, and Day School abuse that you may qualify for, says representatives of Pace Law Firm Elaine Bright, Anu Malhotra and Abby Carpenter.
The trio were at the Six Nations Community Hall Friday night to explain other class action suits for some who, for whatever reason, did not qualify for the Residential Schools compensation settlements already paid out.
They suggested those in attendance add their name to either of these other class action suits in progress, even if you were rejected for other compensation packages.
“I am optimistic about the Day Schools claim especially,” said Bright.
This is a claim on behalf of those who attended residential schools as a day student and suffered the same abuse as those residing at the schools. Although many were forced to live 24/7 in residence, there were others who got to go home at night or on weekends but were subject to the same life altering abuse as well.
Individuals can apply any time for compensation if they suffered sexual abuse or serious physical abuse in day school, foster care or anywhere that a government or organization had responsibility for the person who was abused.
“If you don’t already have a lawyer, and you want to talk about whether you can make a claim, please contact Pace Law Firm, toll free at 1-877-236-3060 and ask for Heather Patterson at extension 343,” said Bright.
The Firm does not charge any fee if you are found to be ineligible for compensation, and will only be paid if you win your case based on a percentage of compensation paid to the client.
Another possible class action suit that one might qualify for, is for victims of the Sixties Scoop. Between 1964 and 1985, government policy was to remove Onkwehonwe children from their culture and families to be placed in foster homes of non-Native care givers, thus being separated from their identity and assimilated as Canadians in non-Native homes.
There are many cases of various forms of abuse from this practice as well as the cultural genocide it produced.
“This case is about loss of culture only, not abuse,” she explained. “This claim applies to individuals who were removed from a reserve in Ontario between 1964 and 1985 and ended up living with non-aboriginal persons who did not teach you any of your traditions.”
Once again, anyone who may have found themselves in this situation were encouraged to sign onto this class action as well since there is no cost to do so. More information about this kind of situation can be found at www.sixtiesscoopclaim.com.
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Representatives from Pace Law Firm came to Six Nations Community Hall to explain the criteria for possible compensation for those who were abused or robbed of their culture as day students at residential school locations, as well as those affected by the Sixties Scoop. Although the turnout was small, the information was especially valuable to those who fell through the cracks, being found ineligible for other class action compensation packages. Photo by Jim Windle.
