Iqaluit (Mar 01/04) - Sixty-eight men and one woman have filed lawsuits against the governments of Nunavut and the NWT, claiming former teacher Ed Horne sexually assaulted them in their youth.

The group is comprised of people who attended schools in Sanikiluaq, Iqaluit, Kimmirut, Cape Dorset, and Grise Fiord in the 1970s and 1980s.

Geoffrey Budden, a Newfoundland lawyer, is representing the complainants, who range in age from their late 20s to early 40s.

The alleged victims claim the government knew Horne was an abuser, yet did nothing to stop him.

Budden was first contacted by Horne's former students in September, 2000.

At that time 85 men claimed to have been be victimized. All parties settled with the governments for $21.5 million.

"It's too early to say if these men are comparable," he said.

The Department of Justice has yet to respond to the lawsuit.

"It is still in the early stages. We will be reviewing what has been filed, and consulting with the government of the Northwest Territories," said Nora Saunders, deputy minister of justice.

The alleged victims are seeking compensation for the abuse as well as loss of income and other damages.

All of the alleged victims are Inuit who grew up in the communities when Horne was the teacher and claim they were abused between the ages of six and 16.

"If our claims are accepted -- if we're successful -- it will cost the government millions," said Budden.

Horne is currently incarcerated, only having served about two-thirds of a previous five-year sentence.