Survivors of 5 N.W.T. Indian Residential Schools can apply for $10K in compensation

Survivors of Indian Residential Schools who attended during the day, but did not sleep there, can apply for $10,000 in compensation as a result of a settlement following a class-action lawsuit, according to CBC Canada.

In 2012, the Tk'emlúps te Secwe̓pemc and shíshálh Nation launched the class action lawsuit on behalf of people who attended Indian Residential Schools during the day, but went home at night — arguing that attending residential school destroyed their language and culture, violated their rights and caused psychological harm.

A settlement was reached and then approved by the Federal Court last September. The settlement includes $10,000 in compensation, which survivors can apply for.

For the descendant class and survivors, there is a $50-million fund for healing initiatives, education and support for language, culture, heritage and commemoration activities. 

An estimated 12,000 to 20,000 Indian Residential School day scholars were alive in May 2005.