Agreement-in-principle released for ’60s Scoop settlement

There are between 20,000 to 200,000 potential ’60s Scoop survivors that may be eligible.

John MurrayAPTN InvestigatesThe firm contracted to manage the applications and settlement for the ’60s Scoop lawsuit has released the agreement-in-principle for the settlement.There are between 20,000 to 200,000 potential survivors that may be eligible.They can now participate in developing the final details of the agreement which the federal government has capped at $750 million.The agreement-in-principle still doesn’t include Metis and non-status adoptees.jmurray.ca

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20 thoughts on “Agreement-in-principle released for ’60s Scoop settlement

  1. Reconciliation is not just about monetary settlements. Not only is the amount offered seriously low, but paying a settlement like this does not close the issue. Sure getting 25K may help some people, but it does not fundamentally change the harm that was wrought by the 60’s scoop. If we are really serious about making amends for the harms that have been caused to the various First Nations, Metis, and Inuit communities then we should seriously consider implementing the 94 calls to action listed in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, or the recommendations listed in the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. Several Aboriginal scholars talk about the harmful effects of governments considering apologies and payments to be reconciliation. To use a cliche, words are cheap. Apologies and payments seem to be given more to make political parties look good than to actually achieve measurable goals for First Nations communities.

    While payments given as damages are helpful to some, it is also useful to note that in many cases the funds are only available to a small portion of the population that was effected. In this case in particular, it is notable that there will be certain cut offs that effect who can claim compensation. I have heard that it will be limited to only those who were adopted, thus limiting the number of individuals to a fraction of the people who were affected. There will also have to be a cut off date on who can claim compensation. If you are at all familiar with child apprehension rates in Canada, or in Saskatchewan in particular, Aboriginal people are greatly over represented.

    This all also comes at a time when Aboriginal communities are struggling to meet the needs of their members. In Saskatchewan for instance, having potable water on reserves is an ongoing and serious issue. In a province that has touted being in an economic boom for the decade preceding 2015, having people live in poverty because of lack of government funding is unacceptable. And before any criticizes First Nations communities for mismanaging moneys it should be noted that First Nations are funded less per capita than non-First Nations persons and communities are subject to much more frequent audits than non-First Nation communities.

    The point here to take away is that reconciliation is not about only money and apologies. Reconciliation is about correcting the wrongs that have been done in the past and making up for them through a variety of measures. Some measures may include direct payments, many measures should include programming lead by and for effected communities. And reconciliation finally requires all of Canada to take part in the process.

  2. Reconciliation is not just about monetary settlements. Not only is the amount offered seriously low, but paying a settlement like this does not close the issue. Sure getting 25K may help some people, but it does not fundamentally change the harm that was wrought by the 60’s scoop. If we are really serious about making amends for the harms that have been caused to the various First Nations, Metis, and Inuit communities then we should seriously consider implementing the 94 calls to action listed in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, or the recommendations listed in the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. Several Aboriginal scholars talk about the harmful effects of governments considering apologies and payments to be reconciliation. To use a cliche, words are cheap. Apologies and payments seem to be given more to make political parties look good than to actually achieve measurable goals for First Nations communities.

    While payments given as damages are helpful to some, it is also useful to note that in many cases the funds are only available to a small portion of the population that was effected. In this case in particular, it is notable that there will be certain cut offs that effect who can claim compensation. I have heard that it will be limited to only those who were adopted, thus limiting the number of individuals to a fraction of the people who were affected. There will also have to be a cut off date on who can claim compensation. If you are at all familiar with child apprehension rates in Canada, or in Saskatchewan in particular, Aboriginal people are greatly over represented.

    This all also comes at a time when Aboriginal communities are struggling to meet the needs of their members. In Saskatchewan for instance, having potable water on reserves is an ongoing and serious issue. In a province that has touted being in an economic boom for the decade preceding 2015, having people live in poverty because of lack of government funding is unacceptable. And before any criticizes First Nations communities for mismanaging moneys it should be noted that First Nations are funded less per capita than non-First Nations persons and communities are subject to much more frequent audits than non-First Nation communities.

    The point here to take away is that reconciliation is not about only money and apologies. Reconciliation is about correcting the wrongs that have been done in the past and making up for them through a variety of measures. Some measures may include direct payments, many measures should include programming lead by and for effected communities. And reconciliation finally requires all of Canada to take part in the process.

  3. This So Called Settlement Is A Sham , Typical Of Any Government That Has Held Us Hostage On Our Native Land . I Have Lost My Identity , My Home Land , I Watch People Celebrate Thanksgiving And An Assorted Holidays , But Never A Holiday For The Aboriginals . You Have Stolen My Life And Culture And Land . There Is No Respect For You , You Have Made Me And Many Others , A Confused And Angry Man , All For Your Own Greed .

  4. This So Called Settlement Is A Sham , Typical Of Any Government That Has Held Us Hostage On Our Native Land . I Have Lost My Identity , My Home Land , I Watch People Celebrate Thanksgiving And An Assorted Holidays , But Never A Holiday For The Aboriginals . You Have Stolen My Life And Culture And Land . There Is No Respect For You , You Have Made Me And Many Others , A Confused And Angry Man , All For Your Own Greed .

  5. With Trudeau paying one man $10,000,000 for being “wrongfully accused” of terrorism, boo fricken hoo, all survivors of this movement to assimilate had better get the same.

  6. With Trudeau paying one man $10,000,000 for being “wrongfully accused” of terrorism, boo fricken hoo, all survivors of this movement to assimilate had better get the same.

  7. I had the opportunity this week to speak with Adam North Peigan, President of the Sixties Scoop Indigenous Society of Alberta who is aware of two hearings to object to the decision that was announced last year. They are scheduled for this coming May 10th in Saskatoon and May 29th in Toronto. Adam will be in Saskatoon to voice concerns and objectives to the proposed settlement. I urge you to do the same.

  8. I had the opportunity this week to speak with Adam North Peigan, President of the Sixties Scoop Indigenous Society of Alberta who is aware of two hearings to object to the decision that was announced last year. They are scheduled for this coming May 10th in Saskatoon and May 29th in Toronto. Adam will be in Saskatoon to voice concerns and objectives to the proposed settlement. I urge you to do the same.

  9. Unfair and unjust..settlement that small is a slap in the face..our lives matter..adjust the settlement..needs to be in the billions if the applications submitted are 200,000…50,000 per person is not enough to say sorry for stealing your identity..sorry for subjecting you to hands of an abuser…sorry for scarring you for life…its just not..its humiliating and it angers me.

  10. Listening and observation are not always fast nor easy. But that is all that can provide the framework for a responsible investigation, and an eventual resolution. Both sides need to know much more than they do now. First Nations, Métis and non-status people need to find truthful and trustworthy spokespeople who will present their strong case. It is the indigenous people who are the most skillful at listening and observation. The financial aspects are divisive, both from government and from legal advisors. No easy answer.

  11. Unfair and unjust..settlement that small is a slap in the face..our lives matter..adjust the settlement..needs to be in the billions if the applications submitted are 200,000…50,000 per person is not enough to say sorry for stealing your identity..sorry for subjecting you to hands of an abuser…sorry for scarring you for life…its just not..its humiliating and it angers me.

  12. I am in an agreement with Karen. We can not regain our childhood that was lost in these homes that the government forced use into. I had to learn another language and culture. Ukrainian is the life style that I was forced into.
    When i heard about this settlement i tried to apply. When i was accepted, the lawyer said they were going to take 33 1/3 %. Because of this, i didnt finish my application.
    I am just wondering if there is another lawyer that is doing something on this case. Someone that is not as greedy as these other liners.

  13. Listening and observation are not always fast nor easy. But that is all that can provide the framework for a responsible investigation, and an eventual resolution. Both sides need to know much more than they do now. First Nations, Métis and non-status people need to find truthful and trustworthy spokespeople who will present their strong case. It is the indigenous people who are the most skillful at listening and observation. The financial aspects are divisive, both from government and from legal advisors. No easy answer.

  14. I am in an agreement with Karen. We can not regain our childhood that was lost in these homes that the government forced use into. I had to learn another language and culture. Ukrainian is the life style that I was forced into.
    When i heard about this settlement i tried to apply. When i was accepted, the lawyer said they were going to take 33 1/3 %. Because of this, i didnt finish my application.
    I am just wondering if there is another lawyer that is doing something on this case. Someone that is not as greedy as these other liners.

  15. This Settlement is bogus!! It seriously needs to be redone to include all First Nations. It is not a very trusting way for the Government to cut the cake.And the said settlement monies should be triple what it is if not more. The Government has stolen peoples lives here and tried to replace all that has been lost with Dollars. None of us that were stolen can ever regain our child hoods and our heritage or our language we can not replace our parents who are now dead because of the pain was to much for them to bear!!!

    1. The pay out for 200,000 survivors would have to be 4.5 billion dollars to ensure $25,000/per individual.

  16. This Settlement is bogus!! It seriously needs to be redone to include all First Nations. It is not a very trusting way for the Government to cut the cake.And the said settlement monies should be triple what it is if not more. The Government has stolen peoples lives here and tried to replace all that has been lost with Dollars. None of us that were stolen can ever regain our child hoods and our heritage or our language we can not replace our parents who are now dead because of the pain was to much for them to bear!!!

    1. The pay out for 200,000 survivors would have to be 4.5 billion dollars to ensure $25,000/per individual.

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