Fort Simpson (Mar 24/06) - Communities need plans in place to help people access and manage their residential school compensation or the money could become another source of pain according to Irene Fraser.

Irene Fraser explains the different options for people seeking compensation for time spent at residential schools. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Fraser, an outreach officer with Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada, conducted an information session on compensation on March 20 in Fort Simpson.

Fraser cautions former residential school students about having a plan for the money.

The money can lead to additional abuse, Fraser told the 24 people gathered in the cultural centre. In some cases elders have been abused by family members who wanted money.

In some situations where people are unprepared to deal with the money they spend it on drugs and alcohol. Fraser has heard of cases where people spent $40,000 in three weeks.

The first step is accessing the compensation.

“There is a lot of confusion in the community right now about options,” she said.

Litigation, alternative dispute resolution and common experience payment are the three options. There is still no application available for the common experience payment because the new conservative government has to finalize the details, said Fraser.

Through the payment, every former student is entitled to at least $10,000 with an additional $3,000 for every year they attended a school. The end of this year is the very earliest any cheque might be out, she said.

The community needs to have a plan in place, agreed Eric Menicoche who was one of the people at the session. “Everyone is pretty confused,” about the compensation options he said.

An independent field worker who would concentrate on helping elders file their applications is something Menicoche would like to see.

Menicoche, who spent 10 years at Lapointe in Fort Simpson and three years at Akaitcho Hall in Yellowknife said he is waiting to use the common experience payment.

Plans are in the works to help people get compensation, said Anne Marie McGuire, the director of health and social programs for the Liidlii Kue First Nation.

McGuire is putting together a group of people from key organizations in the community. The goal is to have an infrastructure in place so when the forms come out there will be a list of names people can phone if they need help.

McGuire admits she’s worried about the possible affect the influx of money will have on the community. Elder and alcohol abuse are some of the problems she expects.

“How do we work together as a group to minimize the impact of elder abuse?” said McGuire.Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Irene Fraser explains the different options for people seeking compensation for time spent at residential schools.