A Metis local president says he’s confirmed a visit for the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, to Ile-a-la-Crosse on September 8.
Local president Jim Durocher is a part of the survivor’s committee of former students of the Ile-a-la-Cross Boarding School. Many of those who survived the school in its long years in operation were subject to abuse and all suffered a loss of culture.
However, its students were denied compensation during the residential school settlement process.
Durocher said he got a call from Ottawa earlier this week confirming that Minister Carolyn Bennett would be in the northern community next Thursday.
He said it’s important that everyone gets an audience with the minister, and she may only have two hours to be able to speak to them. Durocher is asking, for everyone to be able to tell Bennett their story, to keep their speaking time short.
Travel expenses will not be covered, but Durocher urges all survivors to attend if possible especially since many have already passed on from old age.
He said the Metis National Council (MNC) has helped fund a lunch to feed everyone who attends, and thanked MNC President Clement Chartier for his hard work leading to this point.
Initially there were plans in the work for Bennett to come in the summer, but other commitments kept that from happening.
The times for Bennett’s visit are still awaiting confirmation, however Durucher said 11 a.m. is a good time to arrive.