Ile-a-la-Crosse Boarding School Survivors Left Out
Thursday, March 20, 2008 at 13:15
A Regina-based lawyer says he can’t believe Ottawa has decided not to include the old boarding school in Ile-a-la-Crosse on its list of institutions covered under the residential school settlement agreement.
The decision was posted this week on the website of the Office of Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada after months of consideration.
Tony Merchant says the federal government’s rationale is faulty, and he’s going to continue his class action lawsuit against Ottawa.
Merchant says the government’s stance that the school was run by a church and not by the government is weak, at best.
An official with the Office of Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada insists the Ile-a-la-Crosse school was administered by the church, not the government.
Director of research David Russell says his department’s findings indicate that Ottawa had very little to do with the actual running of the school.
He says that’s an important distinction for officials when determining which schools belong on the list.
Russell says the government has received hundreds of calls from people pushing to have the Ile-a-la-Crosse school included — but he maintains the proof just wasn’t there.
He acknowledges Ottawa may have provided some funds for tuition and transporation of students to the school — but in the end, the issue is who actually ran it.
Meanwhile, one of the school’s former students, Don Favel, says he’s disappointed by the news — but not surprised.
Favel says Metis people have traditionally been forced to battle Ottawa for their rights.
He says many Metis in the area will forge ahead with class action lawsuits.
Favel also says the government could have publicized its decision last week — before the federal by-election in northern Saskatchewan — but chose not to.
He says the decision would have affected the way people voted on Monday.
Favel adds a meeting will likely be held soon, so survivors can plan their next step.