Indian Residential Schools Unit
Resolution 6/2010 is focused on protecting the rights of former Indian Residential Schools (IRS) survivors in the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (IRSSA). It calls on the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) to seek a five-year extension to the IRSSA, audit existing Common Experience Payments and Independent Assessment Process (IAP) files, inquire into delays in recognizing IRS and delays in appeals to the National Administration Committee (NAC), advocate for an Ombudsman to protect the rights of former IRS students, advocate for form fillers and health supports and the eventual transfer to First Nations control, meet with the IAP Oversight Committee and NAC to address issues, and pursue an accountability mechanism regarding the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and national events.
Resolution 20/2010, Redress for Day Scholars, directs the AFN to coordinate a political action plan that seeks redress for day scholars by engaging the Government of Canada in a reconciliation and compensation package for day scholar students and seek support for a class action suit on this matter, if necessary.
Key Issues and Activities
Administration and Implementation of the IRSSA
The AFN has participated in meetings with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) to review service standards and updates, liaised with the AFN representative on the IAP Oversight Committee to address concerns with the IAP, and met with the NAC on November 25, 2010, to address concerns raised in Resolution 6/2010 and the ongoing need to protect the interests of former IRS students in the IRSSA.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission
The AFN IRS Manager participates in the All Party meetings of the TRC. The national events are scheduled as follows: Inuvik - June 2011; Atlantic - fall 2011; Saskatchewan - spring 2012, B.C. - fall 2012, Quebec - spring 2013, Alberta - fall 2013, and a final national event in Ottawa in June 2014. The TRC will begin taking applications for the commemoration events and community-based TRC events. National and regional liaison positions have been filled to work with the TRC.
Aboriginal Support Worker (form filler) and Health Supports
The AFN has submitted proposals to the IAP Secretariat and Health Canada to access funds for regions to be actively engaged in the IAP application process and the provision of appropriate health supports. Both proposals are pending approval.
Health Canada has completed a gap analysis to respond to the closure of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation (AHF) projects. All treatment centres funded by the AHF will close in 2012.
Advocacy for Day Scholars
The AFN had a legal opinion on the day scholar issue prepared with a work plan to seek redress for these students. The AFN has started a database to determine the number of day scholars impacted by rejections in the IRSSA. Day scholar exclusion from the IRSSA will be raised at the next NAC meeting.
Looking-Forward Agenda to Annual General Assembly – July 2011
- AFN Form Filler and Health Supports will be available to the regions before the end of December 2010;
- AFN will apply to facilitate a final notice on the IAP process;
- AFN will proceed with the work plan for compensation for Day Scholars and, failing to secure compensation, will support a class action;
- AFN will review the church agreements in the IRSSA and their progress to date in regard to healing and reconciliation.