November 23,2005
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Applauds Historic Reconciliation and Compensation Agreement as a Major Victory For Residential School Survivors
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AFN National Chief Phil Fontaine said today’s announcement by the federal government represents a major victory and vindication for all residential school survivors and their families. |
“This is the largest and most comprehensive settlement package in Canadian history,” said National Chief Fontaine. “Today marks the first step towards closure on a terrible, tragic legacy for the thousands of First Nations individuals who suffered physical, sexual, or psychological abuse.”
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The National Chief, on behalf of the Assembly of First Nations, and the Hon. Frank Iacobucci, on behalf of the Government of Canada, signed an historic and unprecedented Agreement in Principle, which was then approved by Cabinet on November 21st. This agreement meets the overall standard that the AFN has been seeking – that it be demonstrably fair and just to the survivors, and that it would lead and contribute to reconciliation, respect, and recognition. |
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Less than six months ago, on May 30, the AFN and the federal Cabinet signed a Political Accord that recognized the need for reconciliation and healing. Today’s settlement is based in part on the AFN’s Report on Canada’s Dispute Resolution Plan to Compensate for Abuses in Indian Residential Schools released last November 2004. This includes a national apology; an improved compensation process for victims of sexual and physical abuse, a lump sum payment for former students; and a Truth and Reconciliation Commission with both national and regional processes. The Aboriginal Healing Foundation will receive additional funding for another five years.
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The Agreement in Principle also calls for an expedited process to resolve the claims of the elderly. Survivors currently involved in class action lawsuits also qualify for all of the benefits of the settlement package, including compensation. The AFN’s report and approach was endorsed by residential schools survivors, lawyers involved in class action cases and the churches. |
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“While no amount of money will ever heal the emotional scars, this settlement package will contribute to the journey on the path to healing -- not only for all residential school survivors, but for their children and grandchildren. For they too, have suffered and witnessed the affects of this abuse,” said the National Chief. “It is also crucial to have dealt with this legacy of the past before moving ahead into historic discussions about our future at the First Minister Meeting.” |
The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada.
Contacts:
Residential Schools Information
For all General Inquiries on Residential Schools please contact:
Shannon Swan
1-613-241-6789 ext. 332
1-866-869-6789 Toll free
For Media Inquiries only, please contact:
Don, Ian, Nancy, Bryan
Nancy Pine, Communications Advisor, Office of the National Chief
613-241-6789 ext. 243 or cell 613-298-6382
Bryan Hendry, Health and Social Communications Officer
613-241-6789, ext. 229 or cell 613-293-6106
Don Kelly, AFN Communications Director
613-241-6789 ext. 320 or cell 613-292-2787
Ian McLeod, AFN Bilingual Communications Officer
613-241-6789 ext. 336 or cell 613-859-4335
