Inuit left out of residential school compensation

Duane Smith, the acting president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, expressed his displeasure this week with the federal appointment of a former supreme court judge as a special mediator to handle compensation for students of Indian residential schools.

“Many, many Inuit will be left out of the process because the abuses they suffered were at federal day schools or in student hostels,” Smith said in a press release.

The federal government made the deal with the Assembly of First Nations and announced the appointment of Justice Frank Iacobucci along with AFN president Phil Fontaine on May 30.

Fontaine said the news marked a “turning point” in relations with Ottawa.

By limiting Justice Iacobucci’s mandate to victims of Indian residential schools, however, many Inuit victims will be left out of the deal.

ITK has requested an urgent meeting with Justice Minister Irwin Cotler, Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan and Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Andy Scott.

“Inuit want to resolve this issue,” said Smith. “We don’t need more time and money down the drain.”