Category: Residential School Claims

A recent research project conducted by The Cedar Project in British Columbia has found that aboriginal youth who have relatives who attended an Indian Residential School have higher rates of Hepatitis C infection.

A similar study had already found that children whose parents attended a Residential School were more likely to have suffered sexual abuse as children.

The Public Health Agency of Canada estimates the incidents of Hepatitis C in the general Canadian population to be 0.8% but the latest study found that the disease is 7 times more prevalent among aboriginal people than non-aboriginals.

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One of the greatest honors I have ever had was representing Nora Bernard, and the survivors of the Shubenacadie Indian Residential School, in the negotiations that lead to the creation of the Indian Residential School National Class Action Settlement.

Former Supreme Court Justice Frank Iacobucci was the lead negotiator for Canada.

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I am pleased to announce that my friend and client, Nora Bernard has been named to the Order of Nova Scotia.

Yesterday the Protocol Office for the province of Nova Scotia released the names of this years recipients of the award. You can read the announcement here.

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Today survivors of the Shubenacadie Indian Residential School gathered to hear an historic apology from Prime Minister Stephen Harper. They also gathered to pay tribute to Nora Bernard, whose tireless efforts played a key part in the multi-billion dollar Residential Schools class action settlement.

I was honoured to be invited by Nora’s family to join the gathering.

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Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued an apology to survivors of Indian Residential Schools today.

In an historic moment, he apologized on behalf of all Canadians for the destruction wrought by Canada’s policy of forced assimilation. CBC has extensive coverage of the apology and the history of the schools.
Two primary objectives of the residential schools system were to remove and isolate children from the influence of their homes, families, traditions and cultures, and to assimilate them into the dominant culture.

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In a long over due gesture Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl announced today that Prime Minister Stephen Harper will officially apologize on June 11 on behalf of the government for abuses suffered by former residents of native residential schools.

Although she did not live to see it, I think my friend Nora Bernard would be pleased.

A Tribute to Nora Bernard

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The Canadian government has appointed Justice Harry LaForme, a senior Ontario judge and a member of the Mississaugas of New Credit First Nation in southern Ontario to head up a federal truth and reconciliation commission that looks into the abuse that occurred at Indian Residential Schools.

The commission is designed to provide those affected by the legacy of Indian Residential Schools with an opportunity to share their individual experiences in a safe and culturally appropriate forum.

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