Inuit can now apply to Sixties Scoop compensation fund
Wrongfully adopted Inuit eligible for about $25,000 each
Inuit who were grabbed from their families as children and taken south to be adopted between the late 1950s and early 1980s can now apply for an estimated $25,000 each in compensation for the harms they suffered.
During the notorious Sixties Scoop, government’s took roughly 20,000 Indigenous children out of their families for adoption by non-Indigenous families.
Carolyn Bennett, the minister of Crown-Indigenous relations, said the date Dec. 3 marks a milestone in carrying out an $800-million agreement with survivors of the Sixties Scoop.
The agreement was reached in 2017 and takes effect today.
Bennett called the Sixties Scoop “a dark and terrible chapter in Canada’s history.”
“This settlement represents an important step forward for thousands of Indigenous people. It is focused on the needs of survivors, providing individual compensation and recognizing the importance of language and culture and the harm done when children are taken from their families and communities,” Bennett said.
“We will continue to work with survivors and Indigenous partners to advance reconciliation, promote Indigenous languages and culture, and support the healing and commemoration of those affected by the harmful policies of the past.”
Survivors of the Sixties Scoop can now apply for compensation, a news release said.
This settlement combines individual compensation with future support for Sixties Scoop survivors.
Members of the class action are eligible for about $25,000 each in compensation for harm suffered as a result of their experiences in the Sixties Scoop.
The exact amounts, which will not exceed $50,000 per person, will depend on the number of validated claims, the release said.
Collectiva, an independent firm, will administer the process.
Applicants must submit their claim by Aug. 30, 2019. You can find more information about the process at this website: Sixties Scoop Settlement.
The settlement also provides $50-million for creating an independent, charitable foundation open to all Indigenous peoples to support healing, wellness, education, language, culture and commemoration.
The Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation has been incorporated and has received charitable status, and it will start to reach out to those affected by the Sixties Scoop, the release said.
I as a mother of a child that was taken from me due to medical issues in an isolated place have had an impact in our lives. Our child had to be near a medical hospital and was put into a foster home in the city and then later was adopted. We have had a difficult time dealing with this issue and have blamed ourselves. This child of ours dealt with depression, loss of culture and mental illness and is now gone due to suicide. I continue to mourn and blame myself for this and could not turn to anyone for help.
To (Posted by mother of child taken) How can I express to you my feelings of sorrow to you of this dreadful event of losing your child to callous invaders. To have you and your family tortured everyday and for the rest of your lives over this issue makes me feel so sad, sad in the fact I can not do anything ease your pain.
I will say a prayer for your lost child