Search on for final claimants of residential school settlements
Secretariat believes 400 missing, former students need to be reached
Michele LeTourneau
Northern News Services
Monday, May 25, 2015
REGINA, SASK
Officials with the Indian Residential Schools Adjudication Secretariat are stepping up the search for claimants who have gone missing as the claims process nears its end.
"We are on track to complete hearings for claimants who suffered abuse at Indian Residential Schools by the spring of 2016," said chief adjudicator Dan Shapiro. "However, there are over 400 claimants that we have not heard from for an extended time. We need to reach these individuals in order to resolve their claims."
The Independent Assessment Process was established to provide compensation to former students for abuse they suffered at residential schools. Established in 2007 under the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement - at $5 billion the largest class action suit in Canadian history - the IAP saw 37,962 former students apply for compensation by March 31.
More than 83 per cent, or 31,595, of the claims have been resolved, and more than $2.78 billion has been paid out in compensation by the Government of Canada. There are still more than 6,300 claims in progress, said Michael Tansey, senior communications consultant with the secretariat.
Claimants who have unresolved claims in the Independent Assessment Process and who have not heard anything about the progress of their claim over the last several months are urged to contact their lawyer, or call the IAP information line (1-877-635-2648) to ensure that their claims continue to move forward, Tansey said.
"If you know someone who has an unresolved claim, please remind them that it is important that they contact their lawyer or our toll-free information line so their claim can be resolved," said Shapiro.
The secretariat is reaching out in numerous ways, including distributing thousands of notices to band offices, friendship centres, health centres and other community organizations, such as community radio stations.
The secretariat has also produced a short video that is available on its YouTube channel.
