Yellowknife (Oct 06/06) - First Nations across the NWT were given the chance to hear plans for a historic residential school settlement at the Yellowknife courthouse this week.

The federal government approved the settlement package in May. It is now making its rounds across the country, giving former students a chance to assess the details and object if they wish.

Ernie Lennie: "I've lost my language, my connection to my people, I can't calculate the cost - I have nothing."

Ernie Lennie, presently of Yellowknife, was an objector at the hearing.

"I've lost my language, my connection to my people, I can't calculate the cost - I have nothing," he said before Supreme Court Justice Ted Richard.

He was audibly crying as he spoke. Other men and women in the audience had tears running down their faces.

Lennie said speaking publicly was difficult for him, but he was concerned that the reality of residential schools would be lost through such a large settlement.

Though the time allotted to the public was intended for those objecting to the plan, some spoke in favour of it.

NWT Senator Nick Sibbeston was one of them. He spoke of experiencing recurring depression as a result of his time at residential schools. He said the settlement package is a good thing.

"We are glad this agreement has come along," he said.

The package the government is proposing offers aboriginal people who lived at residential schools a payment of $10,000 for the first year and $3,000 for each year thereafter, for attendance alone.

Those who suffered abuse will be eligible for further payments as well.

Hearings have been held in Quebec, Ontario and Saskatchewan. There will be nine held all together.

The hearings are expected to be finished over the next two weeks, said Janice Payne, one of the plaintiff lawyers who helped create the package.

It is hoped that the judges will reach a decision on whether to accept the package by November, she said.

The goal, said plaintiff lawyer Kirk Baert, is to get money to survivors at a faster rate than individual court hearings could.

Justice Richard has reserved his decision.