Progress For Residential School Survivors In Labrador

I am heartened to hear that the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador has ruled that Canada assumed responsibility for the welfare of Aboriginal children when the province joined Confederation in 1949. As a result former residential school students from the Nunatsiavut (Northern Labrador) region are eligible to take action against the federal government after being excluded from the Canadian residential schools compensation package.

The Inuit of Labrador suffered no less physical, mental, and sexual, abuse under the residential school system than did Inuit from other regions in Canada. They suffered no less loss of language and culture, and the resulting multi-generational effects are no less lasting either.

This ruling by the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador marks a significant milestone in the quest for healing and reconciliation for the Inuit of Nunatsiavut. I would urge the federal government to accept this decision. Further, the government should immediately begin the process of working with the Inuit of Nunatsiavut on a fair and equitable compensation package.

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