The Federal Indian Day Schools Settlement Agreement: What You Need to Know

The Federal Indian Day Schools Settlement Agreement is a historic agreement that has been reached between the Canadian government and Indigenous peoples. The agreement acknowledges the harms that were caused by the Federal Indian Day Schools, which were a part of the Indian residential school system.

The Indian residential school system was established in the 19th century and continued until the 1990s. During this time, Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and communities and sent to residential schools, where they were subjected to abuse, neglect, malnutrition, and other forms of mistreatment. The goal of the residential school system was to assimilate Indigenous children into mainstream Canadian society by eradicating their language, culture, and traditions.

While the Indian residential school system has been widely recognized as a dark chapter in Canadian history, the Federal Indian Day Schools have received less attention. These schools were established in the 1920s and were intended to provide Indigenous children with an education while allowing them to remain in their communities. However, many of these schools also subjected children to abuse, neglect, and other forms of mistreatment.

The Federal Indian Day Schools Settlement Agreement acknowledges the harms that were caused by these schools and provides compensation to survivors. Under the agreement, eligible survivors will receive a one-time payment of $10,000, as well as additional compensation for harms suffered as a result of their time in the schools.

In addition to providing compensation, the agreement also includes measures to support healing and reconciliation. This includes funding for support services for survivors, as well as the development of commemorative projects and other initiatives to ensure that the history and legacy of the Federal Indian Day Schools are recognized and remembered.

The Federal Indian Day Schools Settlement Agreement is a significant step forward in addressing the harms caused by the Indian residential school system. It acknowledges the unique experiences of those who attended the Federal Indian Day Schools and provides a measure of justice for survivors.

As we continue to work towards reconciliation, it is important to remember the legacy of the Indian residential school system and to acknowledge the ongoing impacts of colonialism on Indigenous peoples in Canada. The Federal Indian Day Schools Settlement Agreement is a step in the right direction, but there is still much work to be done to address the ongoing harms of colonialism and to ensure that Indigenous peoples are able to thrive and prosper in their own communities.